cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Study: Identification and Reduction of Barriers for Unrelated Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with High-Risk Hematologic Malignancies

The timeliness to Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) as a potential curative treatment for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies such as acute leukemias, refractory disease, progressive disease, or other poor prognostic disease specific indications has been well established [3]. Timing is crucial from date of diagnosis, initiation of induction therapy, donor identification and transplantation. Any delay can provoke unfavorable patient outcomes and reinforces the critical need to reduce barriers for timeline to transplant [1]. Unrelated allogeneic HSCT pose greater risks due to the complexity of donor barriers versus match/mismatched related donor transplants [1]. Key factors resulting in delayed unrelated donor transplantation include; poor donor match probabilities – lack of ethnic minority populations or patients with rare allelic haplotype associations, low resolution Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing in donor registry, limited donor availability, lack of donor health history information, unknown infectious disease markers results, etc. [4]. Other potential areas for significant delay include time requirements for allele level HLA resolution, final donor selection and donor workup process. Given the high-risk patient population, identified existing donor barriers and finite window of opportunity for favorable HSCT outcomes; our center proposed a pilot study in conjunction with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) to reduce barriers for rapid donor identification, selection and workup. The main objective of the proposed study was to identify and select a workup ready unrelated donor within 14 days of search initiation. Selected high-risk patients were enrolled in the pilot program from September 2016 through March 2018 (N = 25). Throughout the pilot study our center was able to identify areas of process improvement within our collective transplant program. Process improvements were also established in collaboration with the NMDP and their respective donor centers and collection centers. Following the completion of the study, we retrospectively analyzed our center's transplant data from 2017 and compared the time to transplant for pilot study patients (n = 15) versus all primary unrelated donor transplants (n = 100) performed, with the exclusion of cord blood unit transplants. We were able to obtain donor confirmatory typing appointments with a median of 7 days from formal search initiation. We were also able to reduce the median days for formal search to workup for the pilot study donors to 28 days versus 56 days, and the median days for formal search to donor collection to 35 days versus 97 days. Although we did not meet our proposed primary objective of 14 days, our center was able to successfully reduce the time needed to identify, select, and collect an unrelated donor for transplantation using the expedited process.
Rewiring regulatory T cells for tumour killing.

In mouse models of cancer, the inhibition of a set of regulatory proteins improves checkpoint-blockade therapy by causing regulatory T cells to produce the cytokine interferon-γ.
Computational Generation of Polymer Chains

For the development of polymeric amorphous materials with desired properties new algorithms are needed to help in the process of rationalizing the relationship between the atomic structure and the macroscopic observables. Even though numerical simulations, such as Molecular Dynamics, have become an efficient tool for giving a detailed description of the structural changes in atomic arrangements under different temperature and pressure, the computation time that can be simulated are below the time span of relevant physical and chemical phenomena. In this work an algorithm to replicate the equilibrium structure in linear homopolymers is developed. The algorithm focuses on performing local movements of dihedral angles to minimize the total potential energy. The procedure generates chains of arbitrary length in a simulation volume with the constrain of a fixed end-to-end radius. Preliminary results show that the algorithm succeed in decreasing the potential energy substantially while approximating the target averaged end-to-end radius asymptotically.
Novel bioinks from UV-responsive norbornene-functionalized carboxymethyl cellulose macromers

Abstract 3D printing has significantly progressed in the past decade and become a potentially powerful biomanufacturing approach for tissue and organ printing. Availability of diverse hydrogel-based bioink formulations, particularly bioinks allowing biochemical functionalization, stimuli responsiveness, and control over mechanical and degradation properties are crucial for bioprinting to reach its full potential. In this study, we report two novel bioink platforms from norbornene modified cellulose-based macromers, either with an amide, norbornene CMC (NorCMC), or an ester linker, carbic (norbornene) functionalized CMC (cCMC). Both of the bioink formulations show autogelation in the absence of UV light, which allow us to adjust the viscosity of the ink formulation. Bioinks rapidly form cell-laden hydrogels when exposed to UV light due to photoinduced thiol-ene crosslinking mechanism. Bioink viscosity and printability as well as bioprinted construct mechanics are controlled by bioink concentration and thiol to norbornene (T:NB) ratio. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are successfully bioprinted using our novel bioink formulations. Considering the high abundance, low cost, ability to selectively tether molecules or control crosslinking properties, norbornene modified cellulose-based bioink platforms have a significant potential to enable 3D bioprinted constructs with increased complexity.
Population Level Variation of Transposable Elements in a Maize Diversity Panel

ABSTRACT Intact transposable elements (TEs) account for 65% of the maize genome and can impact gene function and regulation. Although TEs comprise the majority of the maize genome and affect important phenotypes, genome wide patterns of TE polymorphisms in maize have only been studied in a handful of maize genotypes, due to the challenging nature of assessing highly repetitive sequences. We implemented a method to use short read sequencing data from 509 diverse inbred lines to classify the presence/absence of 494,564 non-redundant TEs that were previously annotated in four genome assemblies including B73, Mo17, PH207, and W22. Different orders of TEs (i.e. LTRs, Helitrons, TIRs) had different frequency distributions within the population. Older LTRs were generally more frequent in the population than younger LTRs, though high frequency very young TEs were observed. Age and frequency estimates of nested elements and the outer elements in which they insert revealed that most nesting events occurred very near the timing of the outer element insertion. TEs within genes were at higher frequency than those that were outside of genes and this is particularly true for those not inserted into introns. Many TE insertional polymorphisms observed in this population were not tagged by SNP markers and therefore not captured in previous SNP based marker-trait association studies. This study provides a population scale genome-wide assessment of TE variation in maize, and provides valuable insight on variation in TEs in maize and factors that contribute to this variation.
Real-Time metadata-driven routing optimization for electric vehicle energy consumption minimization using deep reinforcement learning and Markov chain model

Abstract A real-time, data-driven electric vehicle (EVs) routing optimization to achieve energy consumption minimization is proposed in this work. The proposed framework utilizes the concept of Double Deep Q-learning Network (DDQN) in learning the maximum travel policy of the EV as an agent. The policy model is trained to estimate the agent's optimal action per the obtained reward signals and Q-values, representing the feasible routing options. The agent's energy requirement on the road is assessed following Markov Chain Model (MCM), with Markov's unit step represented as the average energy consumption that takes into consideration the different driving patterns, agent's surrounding environment, road conditions, and applicable restrictions. The framework offers a better exploration strategy, continuous learning ability, and the adoption of individual routing preferences. A real-time simulation in the python environment that considered real-life driving data from Google's API platform is performed. Results obtained for two geographically different drives show that the proposed energy consumption minimization framework reduced the energy utilization of the EVs to reach its intended destination by 5.89% and 11.82%, compared with Google's proposed routes originally. Both drives started at 4.30 PM on April 25th, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida, to reach EV's charging stations that are located six miles away from both of the starting locations.
Is Provider Training Level Associated with First Pass Success of Endotracheal Intubation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Endotracheal intubation is a life-saving procedure in critically ill pediatric patients and a foundational skill for critical care trainees. Multiple intubation attempts are associated with increased adverse events and increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, we aimed to determine patient and provider factors associated with first pass success of endotracheal intubation in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This prospective, single-center quality improvement study evaluated patient and provider factors associated with multiple intubation attempts in a tertiary care, academic, PICU from May 2017 to May 2018. The primary outcome was the number of tracheal intubation attempts. Predictive factors for first pass success were analyzed by using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. A total of 98 intubation encounters in 75 patients were analyzed. Overall first pass success rate was 67% (66/98), and 7% (7/98) of encounters required three or more attempts. A Pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) fellow was the first laryngoscopist in 94% (92/98) of encounters with a first pass success rate of 67% (62/92). Age of patient, history of difficult airway, provider training level, previous intubation experience, urgency of intubation, and time of day were not predictive of first pass success. First pass success improved slightly with increasing fellow year (fellow year = 1, 66%; fellow year = 2, 68%; fellow year = 3, 69%) but was not statistically significant. We identified no intrinsic or extrinsic factors associated with first pass intubation success. At a time when PCCM fellow intubation experience is at risk of declining, PCCM fellows should continue to take the first attempt at most intubations in the PICU.
Text-Based Mutual Fund Peer Groups

The proliferation of mutual fund strategies is a longstanding puzzle in the asset management literature. To gain new insight into this topic, we introduce a method for categorizing funds based on the strategy descriptions in their prospectuses. The resulting Strategy Peer Groups (SPGs), constructed using unsupervised machine learning, capture novel information about the funds and are more detailed than existing style categories. Where the prior literature finds that more unique funds experience greater flows, we find instead that investors prefer funds whose portfolio weights and characteristics are closer to the SPG averages. Investors also favor funds with high SPG-adjusted returns, while different investor clienteles—represented by retail, institutional, and retirement share classes—differ in their allocations across peer groups. Our results are consistent with a mutual fund industry that caters to distinct investor clienteles with heterogeneous marginal rates of substitution, rather than investors with a general preference for variety.
Endoscopic hydroxyapatite augmentation for patulous eustachian tube

Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic calcium hydroxyapatite injection in patients with patulous Eustachian tube. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Fourteen patients diagnosed with patulous Eustachian tube (PET) underwent endoscopic hydroxyapatite injection under general anesthesia. All patients had at least two of three major PET symptoms including voice autophony, breathing autophony, or aural fullness/pressure. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with nasal endoscopy and a symptom questionnaire. Results Endoscopic Eustachian tube injection was performed in a total of 23 sides in 14 patients with an average volume of 2.1 cc injected per side. Mean follow-up was 17.5 months. The most common symptoms reported preoperatively were voice autophony (96%), breathing autophony (91%), and ear fullness (83%). A complete or significant response to treatment was noted in 13/22 sides with voice autophony (59%), 12/21 sides with breathing autophony (57%), and 12/19 sides with ear fullness (63%). All complete or significant symptom improvements remained durable through the entirety of the follow-up period. Four sides that had temporary or no improvement with treatment underwent repeat injection but did not achieve additional improvement. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Conclusion Endoscopic hydroxyapatite injection of the Eustachian tube is a minimally invasive procedure that provided significant or complete relief of autophony and ear fullness in 57% to 63% of sides treated. The procedure is well tolerated and can be performed safely under endoscopic visualization. Hydroxyapatite injection may be a satisfactory alternative to more invasive treatments for PET. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 124:62–66, 2014
Processing of multiple processing queries in distributed databases

A set of algorithms is described that can be used to reduce the complexity of evaluating multiple queries of a transaction in a distributed environment. With the consideration of conjunct sharing, it compiles a set of queries into a network based on the concept of semijoins. As some of the queries in a transaction may change the contents of a database, evaluation of the network corresponding to the transaction is synchronized into several phases so that the dependencies among the queries can be properly captured. It is shown how a transaction that includes database updates can be evaluated incrementally in multiple phases such that the states of the evaluation process can be saved and only part of the transaction which is affected by a change needs to be reevaluated. The algorithms described can be applied to relational databases with slight modifications. >
The Significance of Portfolio Lenders to Real Estate Brokers

For the reasons observed in the sample of mortgage loaus examined, the real estate brokerage industry will continue to depend heavily on portfolio lending to finance residential housing transactions. This paper examines a sample of residential mortgages to determine the breadth of lending by home type and customer credit qualification. The findings show that portfolio lending is required to satisfy homebuyers with heterogeneous mortgage loan needs. Comparative analysis of credit decisions provides evidence of sound lending.
Can the Book of Proverbs Be a Player in “Biblical Theology”?:

Proverbs does not have a role in the game as currently played. The many theological construals of the past century, although helpful, founder on the concept of thematic unity. This paper suggests a...
Bad Language: Are Some Words Better than Others?

Many individuals have experienced situations in which the way they spoke or wrote may have been subject to varying degrees of correction, scorn, disdain, or even ridicule. The exploration of what makes language “bad” – that is, deviant in the eyes of some - is Battistella’s main focus in Bad Language: Are Some Words Better than Others?, as he engages in a closely reasoned discussion about how some forms of language varieties have come to be characterized as ethnic, provincial, convoluted, or immoral. Battistella calls for a more relative and descriptive way of viewing so-called deviant language. Additionally, the author endeavors to alter language attitudes, calling instead for a culture of engagement with such varieties rather than, as he puts it, a standoff between traditionalism versus nihilism.
Mathematical Models in Population Genetics

Throughout the history of population genetics, mathematical models have played an important role in elucidating the effects of mutation and selection on the genetic diversity of organisms. Mathematical models provided the theoretical foundation of neo-Darwinism; sophisticated mathematical tools aided Kimura in establishing the neutral molecular theory. Mathematical models in population genetics today are crucial in the development of statistical tools for analyzing molecular data. This chapter emphasizes models for selection, but also includes the discussion of neutral models. After a brief history of the role of selection in evolution, basic mathematical models are introduced together with the diffusion approximation. A discussion of coalescent theory follows, with primary focus on selection. A short discussion on how to detect selection concludes the chapter. Keywords: selection; ancestral selection graph; coalescent; mathematical models in population genetics; Wright–Fisher model; diffusion approximation; statistical tests for selection
Cyclophilin A regulates HIV-1 infectivity, as demonstrated by gene targeting in human T cells

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) Gag polyprotein binds most members of the cyclophilin family of peptidyl‐prolyl isomerases. Of 15 known human cyclophilins, cyclophilin A (CypA) has been the focus of investigation because it was detected in HIV‐1 virions. To determine whether CypA promotes HIV‐1 replication, we deleted the gene encoding CypA ( PPIA ) in human CD4 + T cells by homologous recombination. HIV‐1 replication in PPIA −/− cells was decreased and not inhibited further by cyclosporin or gag mutations that disrupt Gag9s interaction with cyclophilins, indicating that no other cyclophilin family members promote HIV‐1 replication. The defective replication phenotype was specific for wild‐type HIV‐1 since HIV‐2/SIV isolates, as well as HIV‐1 bearing a gag mutation that confers cyclosporin resistance, replicated the same in PPIA +/+ and PPIA −/− cells. Stable re‐expression of CypA in PPIA −/− cells restored HIV‐1 replication to an extent that correlated with steady‐state levels of CypA. Finally, virions from PPIA −/− cells possessed no obvious biochemical abnormalities but were less infectious than virions from wild‐type cells. These data formally demonstrate that CypA regulates the infectivity of HIV‐1 virions.
An Integrated Performance Measure Approach for System Reliability Analysis

This paper presents a new adaptive sampling approach based on a novel integrated performance measure approach, referred to as “iPMA,” for system reliability assessment with multiple dependent failure events. The developed approach employs Gaussian process (GP) regression to construct surrogate models for each component failure event, thereby enables system reliability estimations directly using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) based on surrogate models. To adaptively improve the accuracy of the surrogate models for approximating system reliability, an iPM, which envelopes all component level failure events, is developed to identify the most useful sample points iteratively. The developed iPM possesses three important properties. First, it represents exact system level joint failure events. Second, the iPM is mathematically a smooth function “almost everywhere.” Third, weights used to reflect the importance of multiple component failure modes can be adaptively learned in the iPM. With the weights updating process, priorities can be adaptively placed on critical failure events during the updating process of surrogate models. Based on the developed iPM with these three properties, the maximum confidence enhancement (MCE) based sequential sampling rule can be adopted to identify the most useful sample points and improve the accuracy of surrogate models iteratively for system reliability approximation. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of system reliability assessment using the developed iPMA methodology.
PROCESS OPTIMIZATION IN ULTRAFILTRATION: FLUX-TIME CONSIDERATIONS IN THE PURIFICATION OF MACROMOLECULES

Abstract An empirical model was developed to describe the flux of a complex milk protein suspension under ultrafiltration and diafiltration conditions. Flux decreased during ultrafiltration, but increased during diafiltration as the permeable solids concentration decreased. The “gel” model based on film theory was modified to describe the flux in terms of both retained and permeable solutes. The least-time processing strategy for a given end product concentration was also modelled and identified for this protein system. In general, ultrafiltration followed by diafiltration is best if protein purification is the goal.
Contribution of myocardium responsible for ventricular tachycardia to abnormalities detected by analysis of signal-averaged ECGs.

BACKGROUND Current methods of signal-averaged ECG analysis interrogate the terminal 40 msec of the QRS complex and/or the ST segment and have a low positive-predictive accuracy for detecting vulnerability to sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). The extent to which abnormalities detected during these ECG intervals are generated by myocardial tissue responsible for VT has not been well defined. The purpose of this study was to determine when, during sinus rhythm, myocardium responsible for VT is activated. METHODS AND RESULTS Three-dimensional ventricular activation maps were analyzed during sinus rhythm and during 10 VTs in eight patients with healed myocardial infarctions undergoing arrhythmia surgery for sustained monomorphic VT. The mechanism of VT was focal in five instances and macroreentrant in five. During sinus beats, myocardium responsible for all focal VTs activated 43 +/- 38 msec before the onset of the terminal 40-msec interval of the QRS complex. During sinus rhythm, activation of the myocardium critical to macroreentrant VT began 72 +/- 13 msec before the onset of the terminal QRS interval and in only three instances extended 2-25 msec into the terminal 40 msec of the QRS complex. Electrograms recorded during the ST segment represented late activation of epicardial sites overlying zones of infarction that were temporally and spatially remote from tissue critical to VT. CONCLUSIONS Current methods of signal-averaged ECG analysis limiting interrogation to the terminal QRS/ST segment exclude detection of > 95% of the signals generated by myocardium responsible for sustained VT. These results establish a pathophysiological basis for expanding signal-averaged ECG analysis to include more of the cardiac cycle.
Sphere Packing, IV. Detailed Bounds

This paper is the fourth in a series of six papers devoted to the proof of theKepler conjecture, which asserts that no packing of congruent balls in three dimensions has density greater than the face-centered cubic packing. In a previous paper in this series, a continuous function f on a compact spacewas defined, certain points in the domain were conjectured to give the global maxima, and the relation between this conjecture and the Kepler conjecture was established. The function f can be expressed as a sum of terms, indexed by regions on a unit sphere. In this paper detailed estimates of the terms corresponding to general regions are developed. These results form the technical heart of the proof of the Kepler conjecture, by giving detailed bounds on the function f. The results rely on long computer calculations.
Thin-Layer Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Coupled Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) was demonstrated as a means to couple thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with mass spectrometry. The experimental setup and its optimization are described. Development lanes were scanned by moving the TLC plate under computer control while directing the stationary DESI emitter charged droplet plume at the TLC plate surface. Mass spectral data were recorded in either selected reaction monitoring mode or in full scan ion trap mode using a hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Fundamentals and practical applications of the technique were demonstrated in positive ion mode using selected reaction monitoring detection of rhodamine dyes separated on hydrophobic reversed-phase C8 plates and reversed-phase C2 plates, in negative ion full scan mode using a selection of FD&C dyes separated on a wettable reversed-phase C18 plate, and in positive ion full scan mode using a mixture of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine from an over-the-counter pain medicati...
Repeating earthquakes, episodic tremor and slip: Emerging patterns in complex earthquake cycles?

The lack of regularity in earthquake cycles continues to be a confounding issue in earthquake science. Lately, observations of episodic nonvolcanic tremor and slip (ETS) along a few well-instrumented tectonic plate boundaries are intriguing: these features recur together with predictable time intervals. Data now trace recurring ETS back to 1990 and no significant earthquake ever followed an ETS episode. This observation and the fact that stress drops associated with episodic slips are low, only on the order of 0.01 MPa, suggests that repeated ETS has little cumulative effects in priming the fault for the next large earthquake. Another known regularity in seismic activity is the so-called repeating earthquakes that rupture the same patch of fault repetitively. Current hypotheses for repeating earthquakes point to the interaction of continual, aseismic fault slip with locked, seismogenic patches of the fault. Interestingly, ETS also recur near where the transition between brittle faulting and plastic flow is expected, although it is not clear how and why regularities in space and time are interconnected. New data show that ETS recurs throughout the entire length of the Cascadia subduction zone, thus ruling out any special, local factors as necessary conditions for ETS. Recurrence intervals of ETS vary along the Cascadia. Such variations are not governed by the rate of plate motion that ultimately drives the earthquake process, but they do coincide with variations in the geology of the overriding plate that can influence the rheology along the plate interface. To this end, we call attention to the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect (PLC, or jerky flow) as a potential analog to the earthquake process. The dynamics of the PLC has been extensively studied and shows many intriguing features as the system goes from chaotic to self-organized critical regimes as strain rate increases. In particular, the PLC exhibits not only stick-slip behavior (stress serration) over time but also spatial interactions over extended regions—features that are necessary to account for complex spatio-temporal variations associated with earthquake activities. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 12: 33–43, 2007
Solubility of Carbon Dioxide in Melts of Andesite, Tholeiite, and Olivine Nephelinite Composition to 30 kbar Pressure

Carbon dioxide solubilities in H2O-free hydrous silicate melts of natural andesite (CA), tholeiite (K 1921), and olivine nephelinite (OM1) compositions have been determined employing carbon-14 beta-track mapping techniques. The CO2 solubility increases with increasing pressure, temperature, and degree of silica-undersaturation of the silicate melt. At 1650° C, CO2 solubility in CA increases from 1.48±0.05 wt % at 15 kbar to 1.95±0.03 wt % at 30 kbar. The respective solubilities in OM1 are 3.41±0.08 wt % and 7.11±0.10 wt %. The CO2 solubility in K1921 is intermediate between those of CA and OM1 compositions. At lower temperatures, the CO2 contents of these silicate melts are lower, and the pressure dependence of the solubility is less pronounced. The presence of H2O also affects the CO2 solubility (20–30% more CO2 dissolves in hydrous than in H2O-free silicate melts); the solubility curves pass through an isothermal, isobaric maximum at an intermediate CO2/(CO2+H2O) composition of the volatile phase. Under conditions within the upper mantle where carbonate minerals are not stable and CO2 and H2O are present a vapor phase must exist. Because the solubility of CO2 in silicate melts is lower than that of H2O, volatiles must fractionate between the melt and vapor during partial melting of peridotite. Initial low-temperature melts will be more H2O-rich than later high-temperature melts, provided vapor is present during the melting. Published phase equilibrium data indicate that the compositional sequence of melts from peridotite +H2O+CO2 parent will be andesite-tholeiite-nephelinite with increasing temperature at a pressure of about 20 kbar. Examples of this sequence may be found in the Lesser Antilles and in the Indonesian Island Arcs.
GABA neurons are the major cell type of the nucleus reticularis thalami

Summary Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the synthesizing enzyme for the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has been localized in a large number of neuronal somata within the nucleus reticularis thalami (NR) of rat brain by light microscopic immunocytochemical methods. GAD-positive staining of neuronal somata and proximal dendrites is observed in the NR of normal (untreated) rats, and this staining is substantially enhanced following colchicine injection into the lateral cerebral ventricle. GAD-positive neuronal cell bodies are prominent throughout the dorsoventral and rostrocaudal extents of the NR and, thus, form a band around the entire lateral aspect of the thalamus. In the lateral part of the NR, oval-shaped neurons with elongated GAD-positive dendritic processes are oriented parallel to the narrow axis of the NR and lie perpendicular to the penetrating fascicles of unstained thalamocortical and corticothalamic fibers. Semithin (2 μm) sections confirm that GAD-positive reaction product is contained within the cytoplasm of cell bodies and proximal dendrites. In addition, GAD-positive punctate structures, representing axon terminals, are present in the neuropil and, occasionally, are observed in close proximity to positively-stained neuronal somata. This finding suggests that GABA-mediated inhibition of GABA neurons may occur in the NR. The large number of GAD-positive cell bodies within the NR contrasts with a paucity of positively-stained somata in the more internally located thalamic nuclei. Within these nuclei, GAD-positive punctate structures that represent GABergic synaptic sites are a characteristic feature. Since previous anatomical studies have demonstrated that a large proportion of reticularis neurons project into the thalamus it is suggested that many of these GAD-positive punctate structures are the axon terminals of reticularis neurons. Through these projections, reticularis neurons may contribute to GABA-mediated inhibition within many of the thalamic nuclei.
Olivine catalysts for methane- and tar-steam reforming

Abstract The removal of tar and lower hydrocarbons is a vital technological barrier hindering the development of biomass gasification. The present work evaluates four olivine catalysts (three untreated of different origin and one calcined) for lowering the amount of these compounds in biomass derived syngas by reforming model compounds (naphthalene, toluene, and methane). Treatments prior to reaction were shown to largely impact the catalytic activity and physiochemical properties of the olivine catalysts depending on its origin. The formation of free Fe phases following decomposition of a Fe-bearing serpentine phase ((Mg,Fe) 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 ) near the surface of untreated olivine catalysts proved most important for facilitating higher activity compared to olivine catalysts with little or no serpentine phase initially. The most active catalyst was efficient at naphthalene removal (90% conversion at 800 °C), but more active catalysts are needed for applications where methane removal is required. Additionally, carbon deposition during naphthalene-steam reforming as well as Fe clustering during naphthalene-steam reforming and exposure to reducing conditions suggested stability may be a liability.
Fluorescence Applications in Molecular Neurobiology

Macromolecules drive the complex behavior of neurons. For example, channels and transporters control the movements of ions across membranes, SNAREs direct the fusion of vesicles at the synapse, and motors move cargo throughout the cell. Understanding the structure, assembly, and conformational movements of these and other neuronal proteins is essential to understanding the brain. Developments in fluorescence have allowed the architecture and dynamics of proteins to be studied in real time and in a cellular context with great accuracy. In this review, we cover classic and recent methods for studying protein structure, assembly, and dynamics with fluorescence. These methods include fluorescence and luminescence resonance energy transfer, single-molecule bleaching analysis, intensity measurements, colocalization microscopy, electron transfer, and bimolecular complementation analysis. We present the principles of these methods, highlight recent work that uses the methods, and discuss a framework for interpreting results as they apply to molecular neurobiology.
Language Socialization in Korean-as-a-Foreign-Language Classrooms.

Abstract Within the language socialization framework, the second language (L2) classroom would constitute a powerful context of secondary socialization, particularly when it exists outside the learners' culture of origin. In this paper, first year Korean-as-a-Foreign-Language (KFL) classrooms are viewed as L2 socializing environments in which students are not only learning the target language, but are also being socialized into particular Korean sociocultural interactive norms. The study analyzes teacher–student interaction in two American college-level KFL classes in light of language socialization perspectives. The analysis illustrates that teacher–student interactions are consistent with hierarchism (Byon, 2004; Sohn, 1986), which is one of the major cognitive value orientations of Korean culture. The result contrasts with English-as-a-Second-Language settings (Poole, 1992) in which English teachers try to minimize the status differences between themselves and students.
Effect of3He impurities on the nucleation of phase slips in superfluid4He

Abstract The critical value of the dc current of superfluid4He through a micro-aperture is found to decrease at low temperatures in the presence of3He impurities. We measure the dependence of the critical current on the pressure difference across the micro-aperture. In the temperature region where the3He affected decrease in the critical current is detected, we measure a large increase in critical current with pressure difference. The effect can be explained by the finite rate of arrival of ballistic3He atoms to a nucleation site. The critical velocity increases at high pressure difference when the rate of phase slippage becomes comparable to the flux of3He atoms.
WindowScape: a task oriented window manager

We propose WindowScape, a window manager that uses a photograph metaphor for lightweight, post hoc task management. This is the first task management windowing model to provide intuitive accessibility while allowing windows to exist simultaneously in multiple tasks. WindowScape exploits users' spatial and visual memories by providing a stable thumbnail layout in which to search for windows. A function is provided to let users search the window space while maintaining a largely consistent screen image to minimize distractions. A novel keyboard interaction technique is also presented.
Investigation of the phase behavior of an embedded charge protein model through molecular simulation.

The phase behavior of an embedded-charge model for lysozyme developed by Carlsson and co-workers (J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 9040) is investigated using grand canonical transition matrix Monte Carlo simulation. Within this model, protein−protein interactions are approximated through a combination of hard-sphere repulsion, isotropic hydrophobic attraction, and screened electrostatic interactions through a series of embedded point charges located at the positions of charged amino acid groups within lysozyme. Liquid−liquid phase diagrams are constructed for a wide range of solution conditions and compared with experimental data. Our results indicate that the model is generally capable of describing qualitative trends in the evolution of protein phase behavior with variation of pH and ionic strength. From a quantitative perspective, model estimates for both the change in critical temperature with variation of the solution conditions and the critical concentration do not agree with experimental results. We fi...
Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of torsional vibrational modes of tryptophan

The low-frequency torsional modes of tryptophan were measured by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). It was found that there are two dominated torsional vibrational modes at around 1.435 and 1.842 THz. The origin of the observed torsional vibrations are assigned to the chain and ring of the tryptophan molecule.
Internal audit for a publicly owned treatment works enforcement response plan

A properly functioning wastewater treatment Pretreatment Program will protect the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW), its employees, and the environment from the hazards (i.e. plant upsets, expensive sludge disposal, or discharge variances) resulting from the acceptance of industrial wastewater. However, from time to time a nondomestic user of the POTW may become out of compliance with the Pretreatment Program. When this happens, the POTW needs to take some kind of enforcement action, as detailed in the POTW's Enforcement Response Plan (ERP), to assist the user in returning to compliance. The Approval Authority (i.e. State or Federal EPA) periodically conducts a review to ensure that the Pretreatment Program is operating in accordance with the applicable (State and Federal) regulations. However, the Control Authority (i.e. the POTW) should not rely solely on this inspection of its program to determine how well its program is operating. In order to prevent the negatives that are associated with the Approval Authority identifying a deficiency in the Control Authority's Pretreatment Program, this paper proposes an internal review program for the POTW. The purpose of the internal review is to identify deficiencies in the Pretreatment Program before they become a problem and/or are identified by the Approval Authority. In addition, the internal audit program will allow the Control Authority to identify portions of the Pretreatment Program that are in compliance with the regulations but are not producing the desired results. This will give the Control Authority an opportunity to improve the Pretreatment Program and allow the program to operate to its fullest potential.
Within-session patterns of responding when the operandum changes during the session

Eight pigeons and 10 rats responded on variable interval 1-min or variable interval 30-s schedules. During baseline, the same operandum produced reinforcers throughout the session. During the switch conditions, performing one response produced reinforcers early in the session and performing a different response produced reinforcers later. The switch between the two responses occurred 10, 20, 30, or 40 min into the session in different conditions. Within-session patterns of responding were not usually different when the same operandum produced reinforcers throughout the session and when the operandum changed from the right to the left key (pigeons) or lever (rats). Changes from a treadle to a key (pigeons) or from a lever to a key (rats) also failed to alter within-session patterns of responding. These results suggest that factors related to the form of the instrumental response (e.g., muscular warm-up, fatigue) contributed little to within-session changes in responding under the present circumstances.
Biomolecular Electronics: Protein-Based Associative Processors and Volumetric Memories

The promise of new architectures and more cost-effective miniaturization has prompted interest in molecular and biomolecular electronics. Bioelectronics offers valuable near-term potential, because evolution and natural selection have optimized many biological molecules to perform tasks that are required for device applications. The light-transducing protein bacteriorhodopsin provides not only an efficient photonic material, but also a versatile template for device creation and optimization via both chemical modification and genetic engineering. We examine here the use of this protein as the active component in holographic associative memories as well as branched-photocycle three-dimensional optical memories. The associative memory is based on a Fourier transform optical loop and utilizes the real-time holographic properties of the protein thin films. The three-dimensional memory utilizes an unusual branching reaction that creates a long-lived photoproduct. By using a sequential multiphoton process, paral...
Professional Development of Middle and Secondary Level Educators in the Role of Cooperating Teacher

Abstract The focus of this research is on the professional growth of middle and secondary teachers who take on the role of cooperating teacher. While professional growth is an anticipated aspect for the student teacher, it is seldom an expectation that the cooperating teacher will also experience professional development. However, if the conditions necessary for teacher learning are an integral part of the cooperating teacher/student teacher relationship, then it is possible that the veteran teacher will also benefit professionally from the encounter. The objective of this research is to demonstrate that veteran teachers, with the desire to transform their teaching practices, can use their work with student teachers as a professional growth opportunity.
Insights into the structure of alkali borate glasses

Abstract In the light of extensive new glass transition temperature (Tg) and density (ϱ) data obtained for the ternary glass system Li2O(LiCl)2B2O3 we have re-examined the well accepted structural models developed for borate glasses by Krogh-Moe and co-workers. We find that, in contrast to the conclusions of NMR, Raman and IR spectroscopy, glasses in the binary and in the ternary systems with common O/B ratios do not exhibit identical boron-oxygen networks. Rather, we find that as LiCl in the ternary is increased the network is systematically weakened and expanded to accommodate the large Cl− anion. On the basis of these observations we question the ability of spectroscopic techniques such as Raman and NMR to confirm the uniqueness of structural models based on combinations of intermediate-range units. We propose a tentative model which is qualitatively in agreement with the observed changes in Tg and ϱ upon addition of LiCl, and explains how the large Cl− ions can be accommodated without large increases in energy due to strain and electrostatic effects while maintaining BO4/BO3 constant. Recent transport results on some fast ion conducting glasses in this system are also discussed in terms of the proposed model.
An update on project COSA

Abstract The current status of a benchmark exercise to compare computer predictions of the thermal—creep behaviour of rock salt is described. Interest centres on the reliability of predictions of long term behaviour of repositories for high level (i.e. heat producing) waste in geological formations. Three benchmark problems are discussed and the results of one are presented in detail. An analysis of the differences in the predicted behaviour is attempted.
7060 Causitive lesions and long term outcome in patients with esophageal food impaction. an urban hospital experience.

Food impaction in the esophagus is a common problem faced by gastrointestinal endoscopists. While much has been written regarding management of these patients there has been little study of the underlying lesion causing the impaction and the long-term outcome in these patients. In attempt to study these issues we reviewed our recent experience with patients presenting with esophageal foreign body impaction. Methods: The computerized records of upper endoscopies performed during the last 2 years at University Medical center were searched for esophageal food impaction or foreign body in either the indication or findings field. Once records were found charts were reviewed to determine age, gender, findings at endoscopy and follow-up care. An attempt was made to reach the patients via telephone to assess any recurrent symptoms and further endoscopy. Results: There were 1435 endoscopic records searched. 17 individuals were identified as having esophageal foreign bodies. Age range 22-85 Male:Female ratio 8:9. The findings were as follows: Schatzki Ring 2 pts Normal 4 pts Esophagitis 11 pts. 8/11 esophagitis patients were re-endoscoped within one week and 6 demonstrated complete resolution of esophagitis. 13 patients were available for f/u
Evaluating the utility of the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) for monitoring meteorological drought in Texas

The relationship between the satellite-based Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and a number of frequently used meteorological drought indices was evaluated using data from all 254 Texas counties during 18 growing-seasons (March to August, 1982–1999). In particular, the response of the VCI was compared to that of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), Moisture Anomaly Index (Z-index), Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), percent normal, and deciles. Overall the VCI is most strongly correlated with the 6-month SPI, 9-month SPI and PDSI. This indicates that, at least over Texas, the growing-season VCI responds to prolonged moisture stress and it appears to be less sensitive to short-term precipitation deficiencies. There was also significant spatial variability in the strength of the relationship between the VCI and the meteorological drought indices. Generally, counties in northwestern and southwestern Texas had much higher correlations (R2 > 0.6) than counties in eastern Texas and along the Gulf Coast (R2 < 0.1). Nearly 75% of these spatial variations can be explained using a series of environmental variables. It appears that the climate region is the most important determinant of the nature of the relationship between the VCI and PDSI. Other important variables include the land use/land cover in each county, the amount of irrigation, and soil properties. These results demonstrate that care must be taken when using the VCI for monitoring drought because it is not highly correlated with station-based meteorological drought indices and it is strongly influenced by spatially varying environmental factors.
ON THE IMPERFECTIONS OF CRYSTALS.

Imperfections of crystals may be either of mechanical or chemical nature. As will appear in the course of this investigation, the phenomena related to the chemical imperfections can hardly be understood without a preliminary knowledge of the mechanical defects of the crystals considered. The aim of the following considerations is to give theoretical reasons for the necessity of microscopic cracks even in the most perfect crystals. It will also be shown how the characteristics of these cracks, such as their size, shape, etc., may in principle be determined from the properties which characterize the atoms or ions which constitute the lattice. The author was led to his conclusions presented here in the course of an attempt to reconcile the discrepancy between the theoretical breaking strength of crystals with the observed values for this quantity. It is proposed therefore to consider this special problem first.