cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Transparent Assignment to Encourage Reading for a Flipped Course

AbstractThis paper describes a reading assignment that resulted in students completing 80-90% of the assigned reading in a content-heavy science course taught in a flipped format. Students reported...
Schedule-based Family-centered Rounds: A Novel Approach to Achieve High Nursing Attendance and Participation.

Introduction Bedside nurse (RN) presence during family-centered rounds (FCR) enhances communication and collaboration for safer, higher-quality care.1-3 At our institution, RN participation in FCR was variable and lower than desired. The content discussed at each bedside during rounds was inconsistent, contributing to the irregular achievement of established FCR checklist items. Methods Using a scheduling tool with a prioritization algorithm and set time allotment/patient, we implemented schedule-based family-centered rounds (SBFCR) on a pediatric acute care unit. Primary outcome metrics included RN attendance and participation. We tracked rounding checklist compliance, parent presence on rounds, and adherence to the schedule. Surveys provided information on provider and family satisfaction. Perceived impact on teaching was the balancing measure because the structure discouraged spending extra time at the cost of team tardiness for the next patient. Results We created a schedule for 95% workweek days, with the rounding order kept for 93%. Mean RN attendance increased from 69% to 87% and participation increased from 48% to 80% with SBFCR (P < 0.001 for each). FCR checklist compliance increased from 60% to 94% (P < 0.001). Families felt more informed and able to attend; their presence at rounds rose from 66% to 85% (P < 0.001). Most faculty and trainees felt SBFCR was efficient and observed increased teaching with SBFCR. Conclusions SBFCR provides an organizational framework for increased RN attendance and participation as well as greater family presence during rounds. The system elevated provider satisfaction with rounding without degrading the perceived educational experience.
Family social support buffers the intergenerational association of maternal adverse childhood experiences and preschoolers' externalizing behavior

Despite previous work demonstrating that an accumulation of maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with negative health outcomes across generations, few studies have investigated protective factors beyond the parent-child dyad in the intergenerational transmission of adversity. The current study extends previous findings by examining maternal family social support as a culturally relevant buffer in the association between mothers' ACEs and her children's behavior problems in early childhood. Participants included 121 African American mothers and their preschool-aged children experiencing high sociodemographic risk. Mothers completed questionnaires on ACEs, perceived family social support, children's violence exposure and behavior problems as well as relevant demographics. Maternal family social support moderated the relation between maternal ACEs and children's externalizing behaviors (b = -.14, p < .01), such that children of mothers who reported high ACEs and also moderate to high family social support did not show elevated externalizing behaviors; this pattern was not observed for internalizing behaviors (b = -.06, p = .06). Additionally, the intergenerational buffering effects of family social support were observed above and beyond mothers' psychopathology and children's exposure to violence. These results have implications for culturally relevant prevention and intervention efforts supporting African American mothers with young children that reflect resiliency in the face of disparities across generations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Investigation on structural, optical and electrical nature of pure and Cr-incorporated cobalt oxide nanoparticles prepared via co-precipitation method for photocatalytic activity of methylene blue dye

Spinel-type cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles have been the subject of great deliberations for material scientists in the recent tenner, owing to their favorable and distinct combination of its thermal and optical properties. Cobalt oxide nanocrystalline powder was synthesized by a lucid co-precipitation technique maintained at low calcination temperature. Pure and different concentrations of chromium-doped cobalt oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by adding various concentrations of chromium nitrate to cobalt nitrate. The crystalline size of the as-synthesized sample was found to be decreasing on increasing the chromium concentration as dopants in ranging ratios outlined by powder X-ray diffraction and portraits the crystallographic pattern formed as a salient peak at (311). The stretching bands from the range 400–4000 cm−1 were substantiated from FTIR spectra confirming the spinel structure. Two broad absorbance peaks of energy bandgap were observed in Co3O4 nanoparticles and optical bandgap was further estimated using Tauc & Davis–Mott relation. The high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) image indicates the sphere-like morphology. The dielectric property of the samples was studied in the frequency at room temperature also the electronic properties like valence electron plasma energy, Penn gap, and Fermi energy was calculated the AC conductivity due to the narrow size distribution of grains was also displayed. The synthesized chromium-doped cobalt oxide was studied for its application in photocatalytic degradation of organic Methylene Blue (MB) dye under visible light illumination.
Reaction-in-flight neutrons as a test of stopping power in degenerate plasmas

We present the first measurements of reaction-in-flight (RIF) neutrons in an inertial confinement fusion system. The experiments were carried out at the National Ignition Facility, using both Low Foot and High Foot drives and cryogenic plastic capsules. In both cases, the high-energy RIF ( En> 15 MeV) component of the neutron spectrum was found to be about 10−4 of the total. The majority of the RIF neutrons were produced in the dense cold fuel surrounding the burning hotspot of the capsule, and the data are consistent with a compressed cold fuel that is moderately to strongly coupled (Γ∼ 0.6) and electron degenerate (θFermi/θe∼ 4). The production of RIF neutrons is controlled by the stopping power in the plasma. Thus, the current RIF measurements provide a unique test of stopping power models in an experimentally unexplored plasma regime. We find that the measured RIF data strongly constrain stopping models in warm dense plasma conditions, and some models are ruled out by our analysis of these experiments.
How Multinomial Processing Trees Have Advanced, and Can Continue to Advance, Research Using Implicit Measures

Author(s): Calanchini, Jimmy | Abstract: Implicit measures were developed to provide relatively pure estimates of attitudes and stereotypes, free from the influence of processes that constrain true and accurate reporting. However, implicit measures are not pure estimates of attitudes or stereotypes but, instead, reflect the joint contribution of multiple processes. The fact that responses on implicit measures reflect multiple cognitive processes complicates both their interpretation and application. In this article, I highlight contributions made to research using implicit measures by multinomial processing trees (MPTs), an analytic method that quantifies the joint contributions of multiple cognitive processes to observed responses. I provide examples of how MPTs have helped resolve mysteries that have arisen over the years, examples of findings that were initially taken at face value but were later reinterpreted by MPTs, and look to the future for ways in which MPTs seem poised to further advance research using implicit measures.
Nursing Strategies to Reduce Perceived Stress Among Vulnerable Student Populations Preparing for NCLEX

This chapter will explore the importance of equipping nurse educators in the provision of holistic reflective nursing education to enhance the learning of diverse undergraduate student populations. Additionally, this chapter will examine the literature that supports the use of these approaches to enhance student-faculty engagement. Further, a nurse education exemplar of incorporating an integrative, holistic, and reflective approach in assisting nursing graduates in succeeding on National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) will be presented. Additionally, this chapter explores the use of integrative health interventions to promote life work balance and resilience. Finally, the impact of this teaching strategy to empower nursing graduates in providing holistic reflective client care to ensure quality healthcare outcomes will be emphasized.
Reference Voltage Buffer for Hybrid RC-DAC SAR ADCs in 130 nm CMOS Process

Fast settling, accurate reference voltage buffer (RVB) are one of the key blocks of a successive approximation register (SAR) ADC. This paper presents the design of a RVB, which is aimed to drive SAR ADC architectures with hybrid RC-DAC: a popular implementation for area and power efficient solution. The design challenges associated with the RVB implementation are also discussed using a 12-bit, 8MSPS SAR ADC as a test vehicle. Implemented in 130 nm CMOS process, the buffer operates from a 1.2 V supply and consumes 760 μA current while occupying 1530 µm2 of area. It is capable of settling to better than 12-bit accuracy within 3.9 ns and has a total output noise of 87 µV. Post-layout simulations together with the entire SAR ADC shows a ENOB of 11.5-bits thus confirming that the proposed reference voltage buffer serves the targeted application.
Servicemember Education Benefits: Using Government Sponsored Programs to Help Lower or Eliminate Higher Education Costs

Students, in an effort to achieve the American dream by attending their dream school and securing their dream job, are graduating college with an excessive amount of student loan debt. Unfortunately, these dreams may quickly turn into nightmares as students attend their dream school at any cost, graduate with a burden of debt, and subsequently enter a challenging employment environment. Fortunately, numerous laws, programs, and benefits exist to help servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents pursue higher education at reasonable cost. This article addresses some of the most relevant issues servicemembers may encounter in their efforts to minimize the cost of higher education. Part II of this article addresses how to obtain instate tuition at public schools. Part III discusses strategies for minimizing educational costs. Part IV provides ways to eliminate paying tuition altogether. By learning about and taking advantage of these benefits, servicemembers,veterans, and their dependents can achieve the American dream without graduating under a burden of year’s of debt.
Structural and Nanomechanical Properties of Cu (InxGa1–x)Se2 Thin Films Fabricated by One-Step Sputtering

The structural and nanomechanical properties of Cu(InxGa1–x)Se2 films deposited on Si(100) substrate at different temperatures (25°C to 500°C) by one-step radiofrequency magnetron sputtering are discussed. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a dominant (112) diffraction peak. The surface morphology was examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The film composition was examined by electron probe microanalysis. The Cu/(In + Ga) and Ga/(In + Ga) ratios were 0.9 and 0.3, respectively. Nanoindentation conducted in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy revealed that the films suffered severe delamination-type fracture due to poor adhesion to the Si substrate. The hardness of the films was not influenced by the substrate temperature except for the film grown at 500°C. The hardness was greatly affected at depths greater than the thickness of the film due to its poor adhesion. At deep indents, the hardness results agreed closely with that of the Si substrate.
Novel human cell expression method reveals the role and prevalence of posttranslational modification in nonmuscle tropomyosins.

Biochemical studies require large quantities of proteins, which are typically obtained using bacterial overexpression. However, the folding machinery in bacteria is inadequate for expressing many mammalian proteins, which additionally undergo posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that bacteria, yeast, or insect cells cannot perform. Many proteins also require native N- and C-termini and cannot tolerate extra tag amino acids for proper function. Tropomyosin (Tpm), a coiled coil protein that decorates most actin filaments in cells, requires both native N- and C-termini and PTMs, specifically N-terminal acetylation (Nt-acetylation), to polymerize along actin filaments. Here, we describe a new method that combines native protein expression in human cells with an intein-based purification tag that can be precisely removed after purification. Using this method, we expressed several nonmuscle Tpm isoforms (Tpm1.6, Tpm1.7, Tpm2.1, Tpm3.1, Tpm3.2, and Tpm4.2) and the muscle isoform Tpm1.1. Proteomics analysis revealed that human-cell-expressed Tpms present various PTMs, including Nt-acetylation, Ser/Thr phosphorylation, Tyr phosphorylation, and Lys acetylation. Depending on the Tpm isoform (humans express up to 40 Tpm isoforms), Nt-acetylation occurs on either the initiator methionine or on the second residue after removal of the initiator methionine. Human-cell-expressed Tpms bind F-actin differently than their Escherichia coli-expressed counterparts, with or without N-terminal extensions intended to mimic Nt-acetylation, and they can form heterodimers in cells and in vitro. The expression method described here reveals previously unknown features of nonmuscle Tpms and can be used in future structural and biochemical studies with Tpms and other proteins, as shown here for α-synuclein.
Addressing alert fatigue by reducing radiation oncology software alert volume.

261Background: Radiation therapists (RTTs) administer radiation treatments to patients with cancer. Treatments are delivered using linear accelerators (LINACs), operated by vendor specific software...
Comparison study of patient demographics and risk factors for infections following primary total hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures.

INTRODUCTION While studies have shown favorable outcomes in the treatment of femoral neck fractures with the utilization of total hip arthroplasty (THA), adverse events, such as infections, can still occur. Therefore, the aims of this study were to 1) compare baseline demographics and 2) identify risk factors associated with developing either surgical site infections (SSIs) or peri-prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent primary THA for femoral neck fractures were queried from the Medicare database. The inclusion criteria consisted of patients developing SSIs within 90 days or PJIs within 3 years following the index procedure. The query yielded 2502 patients who developed infections in the form of either SSIs (n = 987) or PJIs (n = 1515) out of 57,191 patients treated for femoral neck fractures with primary THA. Primary endpoints were to compare baseline demographic profiles and determine risk factors associated with developing infections. Multivariate binomial logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds (OR) of developing infections. A p value less than 0.001 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS Patients who developed either infections were found to be significantly different when compared to patients who did not develop infections. SSI (10 vs. 8, p < 0.0001) and PJI (9 vs. 5, p < 0.0001) patients both had significantly higher mean Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) scores compared to their counterparts. The regression model found the greatest risks for developing SSIs included hypertension (OR 1.63, p = 0.001), pathologic weight loss (OR 1.58, p < 0.0001), and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (OR 1.48, p < 0.0001), whereas IDA (OR 2.14, p < 0.0001), pathologic weight loss (OR 1.75, p < 0.0001), and rheumatoid arthritis (OR 1.57, p < 0.0001) increased the odds for PJIs. CONCLUSION This study can be utilized by orthopedic surgeons and other healthcare professionals to adequately educate these patients of the complications which may occur following their surgery.
Reliable Gene Expression Measurements from Fine Needle Aspirates of Pancreatic Tumors: Effect of Amplicon Length and Quality Assessment

Background and aims: Biomarker use for pancreatic cancer diagnosis has been impaired by a lack of samples suitable for reliable quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Fine needle aspirates (FNAs) from pancreatic masses were studied to define potential causes of RNA degradation and develop methods for accurately measuring gene expression. Methods: Samples from 32 patients were studied. RNA degradation was assessed by using a multiplex PCR assay for varying lengths of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and effects on qRT-PCR were determined by using a 150-bp and a 80-bp amplicon for RPS6. Potential causes of and methods to circumvent RNA degradation were studied by using FNAs from a pancreatic cancer xenograft. Results: RNA extracted from pancreatic mass FNAs was extensively degraded. Fragmentation was related to needle bore diameter and could not be overcome by alterations in aspiration technique. Multiplex PCR for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase could distinguish samples that were suitable for qRT-PCR. The use of short PCR amplicons (
A Framework for Exploring Optimization Properties

Important challenges for compiler optimization include determining what optimizations to apply, where to apply them and what is a good sequence in which to apply them. To address these challenges, an understanding of optimization properties is needed. We present a model-based framework, FOP, to determine how optimizations enable and disable one another. We combine the interaction and profitability properties to determine a "best" sequence for applying optimizations. FOP has three components: (1) a code model for the program, (2) optimization models that capture when optimizations are applicable and their actions, and (3) a resource model that expresses the hardware resources affected by optimizations. FOP determines interactions by comparing the create- and destroy-conditions of each optimization with the post conditions of other optimizations. We develop a technique with FOP to construct code-specific optimization sequences. Experimentally, we demonstrate that our approach achieves similarly good code quality as empirical techniques with less compile-time.
Finding relevant attributes in high dimensional data: a distributed computing hybrid data mining strategy

In many domains the data objects are described in terms of a large number of features (e.g. microarray experiments, or spectral characterizations of organic and inorganic samples). A pipelined approach using two clustering algorithms in combination with Rough Sets is investigated for the purpose of discovering important combinations of attributes in high dimensional data. The Leader and several k-means algorithms are used as fast procedures for attribute set simplification of the information systems presented to the rough sets algorithms. The data described in terms of these fewer features are then discretized with respect to the decision attribute according to different rough set based schemes. From them, the reducts and their derived rules are extracted, which are applied to test data in order to evaluate the resulting classification accuracy in crossvalidation experiments. The data mining process is implemented within a high throughput distributed computing environment. Nonlinear transformation of attribute subsets preserving the similarity structure of the data were also investigated. Their classification ability, and that of subsets of attributes obtained after the mining process were described in terms of analytic functions obtained by genetic programming (gene expression programming), and simplified using computer algebra systems. Visual data mining techniques using virtual reality were used for inspecting results. An exploration of this approach (using Leukemia, Colon cancer and Breast cancer gene expression data) was conducted in a series of experiments. They led to small subsets of genes with high discrimination power.
The two types of ENSO in CMIP5 models

[1] In this study, we evaluate the intensity of the Central-Pacific (CP) and Eastern-Pacific (EP) types of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) simulated in the pre-industrial, historical, and the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 experiments of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Compared to the CMIP3 models, the pre-industrial simulations of the CMIP5 models are found to (1) better simulate the observed spatial patterns of the two types of ENSO and (2) have a significantly smaller inter-model diversity in ENSO intensities. The decrease in the CMIP5 model discrepancies is particularly obvious in the simulation of the EP ENSO intensity, although it is still more difficult for the models to reproduce the observed EP ENSO intensity than the observed CP ENSO intensity. Ensemble means of the CMIP5 models indicate that the intensity of the CP ENSO increases steadily from the pre-industrial to the historical and the RCP4.5 simulations, but the intensity of the EP ENSO increases from the pre-industrial to the historical simulations and then decreases in the RCP4.5 projections. The CP-to-EP ENSO intensity ratio, as a result, is almost the same in the pre-industrial and historical simulations but increases in the RCP4.5 simulation.
Tritium activities in the United States

There have been many significant changes in the status of tritium activities in the US since the 4th Tritium Conference in October, 1991. The replacement Tritium Facility (RTF) at Savannah River Site and the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory are now operational with tritium. The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) has initiated a highly successful experimental campaign studying DT plasmas, and has produced more than 10 Megawatts (MW) of fusion power in a D-T plasma. Sandia National Laboratory has ceased tritium operations at the Tritium Research Laboratory (TRL) and many of the activities previously performed there have been transferred to Los Alamos and Savannah River. The tritium laboratory at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has reduced the tritium inventory to <5 grams. The Tritium Systems Test Assembly (TSTA) at Los Alamos continues to be at the forefront of tritium technology and safety development for the fusion energy program.
Pastoral intensification in West Africa: implications for sustainability

African pastoral systems have been under pressure from steady population growth and an expansion of agriculture into grazing lands. This neo-Malthusian predicament has been considered the beginning of the end for African pastoralism. The article describes how peri-urban FulBe pastoralists in the Far North Region of Cameroon have adapted to population pressures on grazing lands by pursuing a combination of extensive and intensive pastoral strategies in which they entrust part of their herd to mobile pastoralists, while using industrially produced cottonseed cakes to feed cattle kept in the village. The reliance on cottonseed cakes has resulted in a more capital-intensive production system. This article considers whether pastoral intensification, in which animal productivity is increased through capital inputs, offers an alternative Boserupian model for African pastoralists. Resume La croissance demographique et l'empietement de l'agriculture sur les pâturages exercent une forte pression sur les systemes pastoraux africains. Certains ont vu dans ce probleme neomalthusien le debut de la fin pour le pastoralisme en Afrique. L'auteur decrit comment les pasteurs FulBe periurbains de la region du Nord-Cameroun se sont adaptes a la pression demographique sur les pâturages en combinant des strategies pastorales extensives et intensives, confiant une partie de leur cheptel a des pasteurs itinerants tout en utilisant des tourteaux de coton industriels pour nourrir le betail reste au village. La dependance envers les tourteaux de coton a donne naissance a un systeme de production plus capitalistique. Le present article examine l'eventualite que l'intensification du pastoralisme, visant a accroitre la productivite animale par des entrees de capital, puisse constituer un modele boserupien alternatif pour les pasteurs africains.
Loss of Drosophila i-AAA protease, dYME1L, causes abnormal mitochondria and apoptotic degeneration

Mitochondrial AAA (ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities) proteases i-AAA (intermembrane space-AAA) and m-AAA (matrix-AAA) are closely related and have major roles in inner membrane protein homeostasis. Mutations of m-AAA proteases are associated with neuromuscular disorders in humans. However, the role of i-AAA in metazoans is poorly understood. We generated a deletion affecting Drosophila i-AAA, dYME1L (dYME1L(del)). Mutant flies exhibited premature aging, progressive locomotor deficiency and neurodegeneration that resemble some key features of m-AAA diseases. dYME1L(del) flies displayed elevated mitochondrial unfolded protein stress and irregular cristae. Aged dYME1L(del) flies had reduced complex I (NADH/ubiquinone oxidoreductase) activity, increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), severely disorganized mitochondrial membranes and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibiting apoptosis by targeting dOmi (Drosophila Htra2/Omi) or DIAP1, or reducing ROS accumulation suppressed retinal degeneration. Our results suggest that i-AAA is essential for removing unfolded proteins and maintaining mitochondrial membrane architecture. Loss of i-AAA leads to the accumulation of oxidative damage and progressive deterioration of membrane integrity, which might contribute to apoptosis upon the release of proapoptotic molecules such as dOmi. Containing ROS level could be a potential strategy to manage mitochondrial AAA protease deficiency.
Two challenges in genomics that can benefit from petascale platforms

Supercomputing and newsequencing techniques have dramatically increased the number of genomic sequences now publicly available. The rate in which new data is becoming available, however, far exceeds the rate in which one can perform analysis. Examining the wealth of information contained within genomic sequences presents numerous additional computational challenges necessitating high-performancemachines. While there are many challenges in genomics that can greatly benefit from the development of more expedient machines, herein we will focus on just two projects which have direct clinical applications.
Market Failures, Government Solutions, and Moral Perceptions

In this article, the authors criticize the expansion of government to correct market failures. Primary focus is given to the moral aspects of free enterprise and government expansion, with the authors criticizing the notion that markets are inherently immoral and propelled by self-interest while government generally acts for the public interest. They distinguish between magnanimous and mundane morality, noting that while the former holds more emotional cache, the latter, as explained by political theorist Adam Smith, can actually bring about general well-being through the promotion of self-interested market involvement.
Gas exchange and water relations of spring wheat under full-season infrared warming

Gas exchange and water relations were evaluated under full-season in situ infrared (IR) warming for hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yecora Rojo) grown in an open field in a semiarid desert region of the southwest USA. A temperature free-air controlled enhancement (T-FACE) apparatus utilizing IR heaters maintained canopy air temperature above 3.0 m Heated plots of wheat by 1.3 and 2.7 °C (0.2 and 0.3 °C below the targeted set-points of Reference plots with dummy heaters) during daytime and nighttime, respectively. Control plots had no apparatus. Every 6 weeks during 2007–2009 wheat was sown under the three warming treatments (i.e., Control, Heated, Reference) in three replicates in a 3 × 3 Latin square (LSQ) design on six plantings during 4 months (i.e., January, March, September, December), or in a natural temperature variation treatment (i.e., Control) in three replicates in a randomized complete block (RCB) design on nine plantings during 7 months (i.e., January, February, April, June, July, August, October). Soil temperature (Ts) and volumetric soil-water content (θs) were 1.3 °C warmer and 14% lower in Heated compared with Reference plots, respectively. Other than a 1% shading effect, no artifacts on gas exchange or water relations were associated with the IR warming apparatus. IR warming increased carbon gain characteristic of an increase in metabolic rates to higher temperature that may have been attributed to the well-watered wheat crop and the supplemental irrigation that minimized plant-to-air water vapor pressure differences between IR-warmed and nonwarmed plots. Nevertheless, seasonal oscillations in the IR warming response on carbon gain occurred. IR warming decreased leaf water status and provided thermal protection during freeze events. IR warming is an effective experimental methodology to investigate the impact of global climate change on agronomic cropping and natural ecosystems to a wide range of natural and artificially imposed air temperatures.
Flexural versus dynamic processes of subsidence in the North American Cordillera foreland basin

[1] Dynamic subsidence related to subduction is an important process in retroarc foreland basin systems. Dynamic subsidence in the North American retroarc foreland has been proposed as dominant in the Late Cretaceous; however, questions remain about the nature of the subcrustal load and the basin response to such processes. We present new isopach data using 130 data points covering a large portion of the U.S. and a revised flexural analysis of the Sevier foreland. Higher rigidity associated with the Wyoming craton can best model flexural subsidence directly prior to ~81 Ma. We constrain the transition from flexural to nonflexural subsidence to ~81 Ma and correlate this with large Late Cretaceous progradation. The locus of subsidence and the location of the subducted Shatsky oceanic plateau suggest that dynamic loading from viscous flow above the subducting plate is the mechanism driving dynamic subsidence in the retroarc foreland basin of the North American Cordillera.
Energy aware proactive optimized link state routing in mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract In this paper we develop a novel energy aware routing approach for mobile ad hoc network (MANET) problems. The approach is based on using Optimized Link State Routing Protocol. Our Energy Aware OLSR labeled as OLSR_EA measures and predicts per-interval energy consumptions using the well-known Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average time series method. We develop a composite energy cost, by considering transmission power consumption and residual energy of each node, and use this composite energy index as the routing metric. Our extensive ns2 simulation experiments show that OLSR_EA substantially prolongs the network lifetime and saves total energy used in MANET. In our experiments we considered different scenarios considering a variety of traffic loads, node mobilities, homogeneous power consumption, and heterogeneous power consumption. Simulation results also confirm that OLSR_EA improves the traffic balance between nodes, and packet delivery ratio in higher node speed. We further develop characteristics of OLSR_EA in power-wise heterogeneous MANET to achieve efficient energy preserving performance.
Lateral transmission of tension in frog myofibers: A myofibrillar network and transverse cytoskeletal connections are possible transmitters

The extensibility of the sarcolemma of single myofibers can be reduced locally by leaving a segment covered by a sleeve of surrounding tissue composed of cut myofibers, blood vessels, and connective tissue, hereafter referred to as "the splint." Splinted fibers from frog semitendinosus muscle were used to study mechanical connections (transverse coupling) between myofibrillar components and sarcolemma. The transverse coupling is strong enough to insure a tight correlation between myofibril length and overlying sarcolemma length in both resting and activated fibers and to transmit nearly maximum isometric tension to the splint. Lateral transmission of active tension was demonstrated with a preparation which had the distal two-thirds of an intact fiber covered by a splint and the proximal third dissected clean. When the outer end of the splint was pinned down and only the distal tendon was held, tension generated in the splinted fiber was transmitted to, and recorded from, the splint. Parameters of isometric tension transmitted laterally were not significantly different from those of tension transmitted longitudinally. Myofibrils branch profusely and form a network that may act as a unitary force generator and transmitter. In splinted fibers its output is possibly picked up circumferentially and transmitted across the sarcolemma by a microfilament network. A cap of relatively inextensible sarcolemma "splints" myofiber ends. Resting tension is transmitted to and from the myofibrils by transverse coupling beyond the cap and the region of short sarcomere spacing it covers. Transverse cytoskeletal connections at Z and M regions are described. Immobilization of the sarcolemma allows study of myofibril-sarcolemma linkage in intact fibers. Both active and resting tension were transmitted laterally.
Shaping unpredictable past: National identity and history education in Ukraine

State-controlled history education is used as a major tool in the development and strengthening of national identity, especially in newly independent states undergoing nation-building processes. The analysis of history education in Ukraine shows how it is employed to establish and transform modes and forms of national identity and to influences the formation of borders between nations. The research reveals that history education in Ukraine emphasises the idea of victimhood as the core of national identity and posits Russia as an oppressive and aggressive enemy. This article provides a basis for an early warning and resolution of identity-based conflicts.
Gas plume species identification by regression analyses

Identification of constituent gases in effluent plumes is performed using linear least-squares regression techniques. Overhead thermal hyperspectral imagery is used for this study. Synthetic imagery is employed as the test-case for algorithm development. Synthetic images are generated by the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) Model. The use of synthetic data provides a direct measure of the success of the algorithm through the comparison with truth map outputs. In image test-cases, plumes emanating from factory stacks will have been identified using a separate detection algorithm. The gas identification algorithm being developed in this work will then be used only on pixels having been determined to contain the plume. Stepwise linear regression is considered in this study. Stepwise regression is attractive for this application as only those gases truly in the plume will be present in the final model. Preliminary results from the study show that stepwise regression is successful at correctly identifying the gases present in a plume. Analysis of the results indicates that the spectral overlap of absorption features in different gas species leads to false identifications.
Origin of the 2-Amino-2-deoxy-gluconate Unit in Rhizobium leguminosarum Lipid A: EXPRESSION CLONING OF THE OUTER MEMBRANE OXIDASE LpxQ*

An unusual feature of the lipid A from the plant endosymbionts Rhizobium etli and Rhizobium leguminosarum is the presence of a proximal sugar unit consisting of a 2-amino-2-deoxy-gluconate moiety in place of glucosamine. An outer membrane oxidase that generates the 2-amino-2-deoxy-gluconate unit from a glucosamine-containing precursor is present in membranes of R. leguminosarum and R. etli but not in S. meliloti or Escherichia coli. We now report the identification of a hybrid cosmid that directs the overexpression of this activity by screening 1800 lysates of individual colonies of aR. leguminosarum 3841 genomic DNA library in the host strain R. etli CE3. Two cosmids (p1S11D and p1U12G) were identified in this manner and transferred into S. meliloti, in which they also directed the expression of oxidase activity in the absence of any chromosomal background. Subcloning and sequencing of the oxidase gene on a 6.5-kb fragment derived from the ∼20-kb insert in p1S11D revealed that the enzyme is encoded by a gene (lpxQ) that specifies a protein of 224 amino acid residues with a putative signal sequence cleavage site at position 28. Heterologous expression of lpxQ using the T7lac promoter system inE. coli resulted in the production of catalytically active oxidase that was localized in the outer membrane. A new outer membrane protein of the size expected for LpxQ was present in this construct and was subjected to microsequencing to confirm its identity and the site of signal peptide cleavage. LpxQ expressed in E. coligenerates the same products as seen in R. leguminosarummembranes. LpxQ is dependent on O2 for activity, as demonstrated by inhibition of the reaction under strictly anaerobic conditions. An ortholog of LpxQ is present in the genome ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens, as shown by heterologous expression of oxidase activity in E. coli.
The effect of preloaded amino acids on lysine and homoarginine transport in chicken small intestine

Abstract 1. 1. Preloaded neutral and basic amino acids were observed to enhance the 1- and 5-min uptakes of lysine and homoarginine into sections of chicken small intestine incubated in vitro . 2. 2. This so-called transstimulatory phenomenon, in analogy to previous findings reported for rat and rabbit intestine, was shown to be a Na + -indepentent process. 3. 3. The transinhibition of basic amino acid transport affected by preloaded homoarginine or arginine was noted to be a Na + -dependent process. 4. 4. Our results are consistent with the notion that preloaded amino acids may act to accelerate uptake by an exchange diffusion mechanism and (or) by inhibition of substrate loss from the tissue.
Expression of IL‐33 and its epigenetic regulation in multiple sclerosis

We examined the expression of IL-33 as an indicator of an innate immune response in relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and controls. Based on our previous studies we proposed a link between the expression of IL-33 and IL-33 regulated genes to histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and in particular HDAC3, an enzyme that plays a role in the epigenetic regulation of a number of genes including those which regulate inflammation. Our studies showed that intracellular expressions of IL-33 and IL-33 regulated genes are increased in patients with RRMS. In addition, following in vitro culture with TLR agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS), there is increased induction of both IL-33 and HDAC3 in RRMS patients over that seen in controls. Also, culture of PBMC with IL-33 led to the expression of genes which overlapped with that seen in RRMS patients suggesting that the gene expression signature seen in RRMS may be driven by innate immune pathways. Expression of levels of IL-33 but not IL-1β (another gene regulated by TLR agonists) is completely inhibited by Trichostatin A (TSA) establishing a closer regulation of IL-33 but not IL-1β with HDAC. These results demonstrate the over expression of innate immune genes in RRMS and offer a causal link between the epigenetic regulation by HDAC and the induction of IL-33.
Theoretical Studies of the sp2 versus sp3 C−H Bond Activation Chemistry of 2-Picoline by (C5Me5)2An(CH3)2 Complexes (An = Th, U)

The C−H bond activation chemistry of (C5Me5)2Th(CH3)2 and (C5Me5)2U(CH3)2 with 2-picoline (2-methylpyridine) is examined with use of density functional techniques. In particular, the differences be...
Molecular characterization of the Salmonella typhimurium parE gene

Abstract The DNA sequence of the wild type S. typhimurium parE gene was determined. The predicted protein has 96.7% amino acid identity with the ParE protein of E.coli, but is 29 amino acids longer, due to an additional basepair in the 3' end of the S. typhimurium gene. Subclones of the S. typhimurium parE gene localized the sites of four heat sensitive mutations within parE. The parE206 and parE374 mutations are identical (Val67-Met) and lie in a highly conserved region corresponding to the ATP binding pocket of GyrB. Two additional heat sensitive mutations were sequenced and predict the following amino acid substitutions: parE377 (Gly399-Ser) and parE493 (Thr583-Pro). All of the heat sensitive mutations lie in regions with strong amino acid homology to GyrB.
Heterojunction TFET Scaling and resonant-TFET for steep subthreshold slope at sub-9nm gate-length

The Tunneling Field Effect Transistor (TFET) is of interest for future low-power technologies due to its steep subthreshold-slope (SS) [1, 2]. In addition to understanding TFET's prospects for future technology nodes [3], we also need to assess if it enables continued scaling required for increasing transistor density. GaSb/InAs heterojunction TFET (Het-j TFET) is one of the leading TFET options due to its high drive-current [4]. In this paper, double-gate (DG) and nanowire (NW) Het-j TFETs (Fig. 1) are atomisticly modeled and compared to a MOSFET down to Lg~9nm, i.e. ITRS 2022 node [5]. To achieve TFET characteristics superior to a MOSFET, its DG body has to be extremely thin, so a NW TFET is therefore preferred due to its more relaxed thickness and better transistor characteristics. A new device - the Resonant-TFET (R-TFET), is proposed, with SS~25mV/dec over ~3.5 decades of current, enabling the scaling of tunneling transistors to sub-9nm gate-lengths (Lg).
Gesture in sign language discourse

Abstract An analysis of spoken language discourse cannot be limited to merely the words used in the discourse and their grammatical arrangement. It is well known, for example, that speakers commonly gesture as they speak. These gestures often provide either independent information or important clues needed for a clear understanding of the message of the speaker. Pointing at a book when saying ‘this book’ identifies the book being discussed. Without the deictic gesture, the particular book being described might not be identifiable. Other gestures may provide information which is complementary to the spoken words. In either case, the addressee must combine the grammatically coded spoken information with the gestural information to produce a message which incorporates both. American Sign Language (ASL) is a language produced by gestures of the hands, face, and body. In general, these gestures have been analyzed as parallel to the gestures of articulators in the vocal tract. That is, they have been considered to be parts of the words and morphemes which make up grammatical constructions. Our analysis of a brief ASL narrative shows that, even in the case of a language produced by gestures of the hands, body, and face, the distinction between ‘grammatically coded meaning’ and non-grammatically coded ‘meaningful gesture’ is equally appropriate. That is, sign language discourse also consists not only of grammatically structured arrangements of signs, but also includes meaningful gestures. The interweaving of these two sources of meaning is so extensive in ASL that certain categories of signs are not normally produced without a deictic gesture.
Pecan Effects on Serum Lipoproteins and Dietary Intakes of Hyperlipidemic Individuals Consuming Self-Selected Diets

Pecan-supplemented diets were studied in 17 hyperlipidemic individuals who were randomly assigned to pecan (6 women, 2 men, age 46±6 years [mean±SD]) or control (7 women, 2 men, age 53±10 years). The pecan group consumed 68g of pecans/day for 8 weeks. Total fat, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat intakes were significantly higher in the pecan group. LDL cholesterol was lowered in the pecan group from 152±21 mg/dL at entrance to 136±22 at Week 4 but was 153±33 by Week 8. LDL cholesterol was significantly lower in the pecan group than controls at Week 4 (136±22 mg/dL versus 173±60). Total cholesterol in the pecan group was 233±19 mg/dL at entrance and 221±18 by Week 4 but was 232±35 by Week 8. Total cholesterol was significantly lower in the pecan group (221±18 mg/dL) than controls (257±60) at Week 4. Pecans in diets of hyperlipidemic individuals did not have sustained serum lipid lowering.
Academic experiences in software project management

This paper discusses the implementation project undertaken in 1988--1989 as part of Texas Christian University's graduate program in Software Design and Development. The report summarizes the intent, schedule, man-loading, design methodologies, and development tools used during the course of the project. Included is a discussion of the project's failures and successes. The paper concludes with a discussion of the lessons that may be learned from such projects in planning future efforts of this kind.
SOLlNET's LAMBDA: Success at Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Technological University Library's experience participating in the field test of the SOLINET LAMBDA services is described. The LAMBDA services are provided from the system developed by SOLINET and the Burroughs Corporation in the conversion of the Washington Library Network (WLN) software to run on Burroughs equipment Tennessee Tech participated in the field test to determine whether LAMBDA could meet the needs of the library for an online catalog. At the conclusion of the test, Tennessee Tech determined that LAMBDA did meet its needs and that it would continue using LAMBDA as an online catalog for the Tennessee Tech Library.
Chemical activation of the cyanobacterial orange carotenoid protein.

The effects of the Hofmeister series of ions on the activation of the orange carotenoid protein (OCP) from the inactive orange form to the active red form were tested. Kosmotropes led to lower OCP activation, whereas chaotropes led to greater OCP activation. Concentrations of thiocyanate exceeding 1.5 M dark activate the orange carotenoid protein to its red form. This chemically activated OCP was studied by UV–vis and circular dichroism spectroscopies. The chemically-activated OCP quenches the fluorescence of phycobilisomes in vitro, to a level comparable to that of the light-activated OCP.
Neural crest cells pattern the surface cephalic ectoderm during FEZ formation.

Background: Multiple fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) ligands are expressed in the forebrain and facial ectoderm, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in the facial ectoderm. Both pathways activate the MAP kinase cascade and can be suppressed by SU5402. We placed a bead soaked in SU5402 into the brain after emigration of neural crest cells was complete. Results: Within 24 hr we observed reduced pMEK and pERK staining that persisted for at least 48 hr. This was accompanied by significant apoptosis in the face. By day 15, the upper beaks were truncated. Molecular changes in the FNP were also apparent. Normally, Shh is expressed in the frontonasal ectodermal zone and controls patterned growth of the upper jaw. In treated embryos, Shh expression was reduced. Both the structural and molecular deficits were mitigated after transplantation of FNP-derived mesenchymal cells. Conclusions: Thus, mesenchymal cells actively participate in signaling interactions of the face, and the absence of neural crest cells in neurocristopathies may not be merely structural. Developmental Dynamics 241:732–740, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantum field treatment of disoriented-chiral-condensate dynamics

A practical quantum-field treatment is developed for systems endowed with an effective mass function depending on both space and time and a schematic application illustrates the quantitative importance of quantum fluctuations in the dynamics of disoriented chiral condensates.