cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Charge inversion of polypeptide anions using protein and dendrimer cations as charge inversion reagents

Abstract The conversion of deprotonated bradykinin, as well as anions derived from other polypeptides, to protonated species has been demonstrated via ion/ion reactions with multiply protonated polypropylenimine diaminobutane (DAB) dendrimers and proteins in a linear ion trap. The charge inversion characteristics of both the proteins and the dendrimers were examined with emphasis on the extent of charging of the analyte and the tendency for adduct formation. Multiply protonated proteins, for example, tended to result in significant adduct formation whereas the multiply protonated amino-terminated dendrimers showed essentially no adduct formation. Ions derived from five dendrimer generations were examined as charge inversion reagents with deprotonated bradykinin serving as a peptide model. Both the size and the charge state of the dendrimer reagent ion played a role in determining the number of protons transferred from the reagent cation to the peptide anion. For a given dendrimer generation, the tendency is for increasing numbers of protons to transfer with increasing dendrimer charge. For a given charge state, the numbers of protons transferred tends to be inversely related to dendrimer size. All of the observed data are consistent with charge inversion taking place via a long-lived intermediate complex with the ultimate products being determined by the fate of the complex (i.e., stabilization of the complex versus break-up into one of several competitive dissociation channels).
miR-122: An Antiviral Target against Hepatitis C Virus

microRNA-122 (miR-122), a liver specific microRNA, has been shown to facilitate the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and/or translation. Although the exact role played by miR-122 in this process is not fully understood, it has been shown that one of the functions of miR-122 is to stabilize the HCV RNA genome upon binding. There are two miR-122 binding sites within the HCV genome 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR), named the S1 and S2 sites, both containing the miR-122 seed sequence. It has been shown that miR-122 is a valid antiviral target, as locked nucleic acids developed against miR-122 abolished the HCV replication. However, miR-122 has numerous other functions in the hepatic cell, which will also be affected by these LNAs. In this study, we adopted a different approach, namely to design peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) against the miR-122 binding sites within the HCV genome, sites conserved in all HCV genotypes and to test their antiviral properties. Our results indicate that one such PNA designed against the site S2 binds to the 5'-UTR of the HCV genome. And moreover, has the ability to invade the miR-122/HCV 5'UTR complex, releasing miR-122.
Classification of Buoyant River Plumes from Large Aspect Ratio Channels

AbstractThe dynamics of the Grand River plume, a major tributary of Lake Michigan, was studied in the vicinity of the Grand Haven coast on the east side of the lake. The river spread laterally from the mouth and formed a thin surface buoyant plume with various shapes that have not been previously reported. To understand the influence of different driving forces, primarily wind, buoyancy, and ambient currents, extensive field experiments were carried out over four periods in August and June 2006, and June and July 2007. They included aerial photography over the plume, acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) deployments, meteorological buoys, drifters, SF6 and Rhodamine WT tracer releases, three-dimensional (3D) CTD profiling over the plume, and CTD casts at the river mouth. The results showed more flow classes than included in previous studies. A modified classification scheme based on the relative magnitude of the plume-crossflow length scale and a Richardson number were devised that includes longshore c...
Collaborative writing in pairs and small groups: Learners' attitudes and perceptions

Abstract This study explored learners' attitudes and perceptions toward collaborative writing in pairs and small groups. Fifty-five intermediate level learners of Spanish as a foreign language were asked to complete a collaborative writing task as part of their classroom activities. Half of them worked in pairs and the other half in groups of four. Afterward, they all received the same post-task questionnaire. Learners' reactions to the collaborative writing experience were overall very positive and only 4 out 55 said they would have preferred to write individually. The learners who wrote in pairs tended to prefer this condition, because it offered more opportunities for active participation. However, those who wrote in groups felt that there were more ideas and knowledge to share, and therefore more possibilities for language development. Most of them saw a positive impact of collaboration on both the grammatical and lexical accuracy of their texts. These learners' perceptions concur with the findings of most previous research on collaborative writing.
Elliptical core multimode optical fibers

We propose a new elliptical core polarization maintaining multimode fiber design with low index trench. We analyze fiber properties such as birefringence, modal delay, bandwidth and mode coupling using a finite element method.
Latinos' Health Care Access: Financial and Cultural Barriers

This study aimed at investigating how income, culture, and language affect health care access. Data from a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of 206 Latinos was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Qualitative data served to explain quantitative results. Point estimates for various access measures were similar to national data. In multivariate logistic regression, income and education determined having health insurance (OR 6.8 and 7.4; 95% CI 2.7–17.3 and 2.9–19.0, respectively). Time in the U.S. and health insurance determined having a regular source of care (OR 4.6 and 5.8; 95% CI 1.7–12.8 and 2.1–16.0, respectively). Having a source of care and being female determined visit to the doctor in the past year (OR 6.14 and 6.73; 95% CI 2.3–16.5 and 2.4–19.3, respectively). Language and culture showed no statistically significant effect on access measures, but qualitative data showed they were related to health care barriers.
Machine utilization of the natural language word ''good''

Using the term ''good'' as an example, the effect of natural language input on an interviewing computer program is described. The program utilizes syntactic and semantic information to generate relevant plausible inferences from which statements for a goal-directed man-machine dialogue can be constructed.
High current superconducting gun at 703.75 MHz

A half-cell superconducting RF (SRF) electron gun has been proposed as an injector to the 20 MeV energy recovery linac (ERL) prototype at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL). The design and optimization of the half-cell gun based on RF parameters, higher order mode (HOM) wakefields, and preservation of very low beam emittance in the high current regime are discussed. Comparison of several different shapes based on the above criteria and issues relating to multipacting, cathode insertion, and laser stability will be presented.
Diversification of hypervariable region 1 of hepatitis C virus after liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation represents a unique model for studying hepatitis C virus (HCV) evolution. In the current study, we estimated the dynamics of HCV quasispecies evolution over a period of 2.5 years both in sera and in tissues, including three different anatomic sites of the liver in a patient undergoing liver transplantation. The patient displayed an extremely homologous virus population in either serum or liver at each time point after liver transplantation. However, there was a successive diversification of hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of HCV under such an im-munocompromised status and the preexistence of matching HVR1 antibodies. This distinct evolutionary pattern of HVR1 suggests that immunosuppressed status does contribute to diminished genetic diversity of HVR1 at a given time point after liver transplantation. However, the dramatic diversification of HVR1 sequence over time is mainly due to the adaptation of new replicative site, the donor liver, indicating that HCV may obtain the higher replication fitness by mutating HVR1 domain.
Fine‐needle aspiration findings in nodular myositis: A case report

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is frequently the initial diagnostic modality for the workup of suspected metastatic disease in subcutaneous or deeper soft tissues. The technique is less well-accepted for the diagnosis of primary soft-tissue lesions. Occasionally during the investigation of suspected metastatic disease, primary processes of the soft tissues will undergo FNA. Thus, familiarity with the cytomorphology of soft-tissue reparative and neoplastic lesions is important. A variety of reparative and degenerative entities exist within the soft tissues, one of which is localized nodular myositis. This lesion may be a precursor of generalized polymyositis, including polymyositis associated with graft vs. host disease, or it may remain a localized process. Aspirates from localized nodular myositis demonstrate fragments of striated muscle including degenerating and regenerative myocytes, a mixed inflammatory background, and necrotic debris. Cytologic identification of this lesion can be therapeutically important, particularly in post-bone marrow transplant patients.
NASAL END-EXPIRATORY PRESSURE (NEEP) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE (HMD)

End-expiratory pressure utilizing nasal prongs was used in 43 babies, 30 with clinical HMD, during a 7 month period. In the HMD group, x birth weight was 2020g(8<1500g) and x gestation was 33½ wks. PaO2 was <60mmHg in ≥ 60%fiO2 in all HMD prior to NEEP. Treatment was begun at x 23½ hrs. after birth and x duration of treatment was 43 hrs. Pressures employed ranged from 6-15cmH2O, the mouth not taped shut, and gastric decompression was routine. Within x 36 minutes of treatment, x PaO2 nearly doubled in stable fiO2(x PaO2 47 ± 17.5 before and 80±36.2 after; x fiO2 72% before and 73% after). PaCO2, and pH were unchanged. In 18 in whom NEEP was begun within 24 hrs. of birth, x ΔPaO2 of 116% was significantly higher than the 35% of those 12 treated later(p < .025). The ΔPaO2 exceeded 50% in 12/18 early treated and in only 3/12 late treated (p< .01). Prognosis was not predicted by initial PaO2 response: x ΔPaO2 was 79% in survivors and 96% in those who died. Of the 25 survivors, only 1 required further ventilatory support, while in none of the dying babies was NEEP failure corrected by subsequent endotracheal CPAP and/or mechanical ventilation. FiO2 of x 73% was decreased to <60% in x 15 hrs. (range ½-86). In 13 babies with other causes for respiratory difficulty, NEEP failed to significantly affect PaO2 (x 49 before; 69 after). These data suggest that NEEP is a simple, non-invasive, effective technique in the management of HMD. Our only complication has been pneumothorax, occuring in 3 infants who survived.
Crisis communication in racial issues

On November 17, 1998, three individuals were detained by local police in Lubbock, Texas for attempting a pigeon drop scam in a Wal Mart parking lot. The three suspects were the head coach, an assistant coach, and the husband of the head coach from the visiting Hampton University women's basketball team. The three were eventually proven innocent and released, but not before a crisis involving racial overtones had been initiated. The case study explores the crisis management responses of Texas Tech University and Lubbock, Texas and the implications for the study of crises involving race.
Suppression of WIF-1 through promoter hypermethylation causes accelerated proliferation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) overexpressing MCF10AT1 breast cancer cells

The cause for increased cell proliferation in AHR overexpressing breast cancer cells still remains unknown. Here we studied the molecular basis of aggressive cell proliferation of an AHR overexpressing and ERα functionally down-regulated MCF10AT1 cell line, designated as P20E, in comparison to a matched sub-line, P20C with normal AHR expression and ERα function. We found that a 4-day treatment of P20E cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AZ) caused a significant suppression of cell proliferation. Such an effect of AZ was accompanied with the significant recovery of ERα function. Among diagnostic markers of AZ-induced cellular changes we found conspicuous up-regulation of mRNA expression of Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (WIF-1), particularly in P20E. The possibility of AZ-induced demethylation on the promoter of WIF-1 gene was confirmed through methylation specific PCR assay. Such AZ-induced changes in P20E cells were also accompanied with the decrease in the binding of nuclear proteins to the (32)P labeled TRE (TCF response element) and the reduced accumulation of β-catenin protein in the cell nucleus, indicating the importance of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in maintaining the increased cell proliferation in P20E line over P20C line. The importance of WIF-1 in this regard has been validated by transfecting cells with siRNA against WIF-1, which caused an increase in cell proliferation. Moreover, artificial overexpression of ERα in both P20E as well as MDA-MB-231 cells increased the mRNA expression of WIF-1. Together these results support our main conclusion that the aggressive cell proliferation of this AHR-overexpressing sub-type of transformed mammary epithelial cells is assisted by the epigenetic suppression of WIF-1 gene, which is caused by the loss of ERα.
Evolution equations with a free boundary condition

In this paper we consider the heat flow of harmonic maps between two compact Riemannian Manifolds M and N (without boundary) with a free boundary condition. That is, the following initial boundary value problem ∂1,u −Δu = Γ(u)(∇u, ∇u) [tT Tu uN, on M × [0, ∞), u(t, x) ∈ Σ, for x ∈ ∂M, t > 0, ∂u/t6n(t, x) ⊥u Tu(t,x) Σ, for x ∈ ∂M, t > 0, u(o,x) = uo(x), on M, where Σ is a smooth submanifold without boundary in N and n is a unit normal vector field of M along ∂M. Due to the higher nonlinearity of the boundary condition, the estimate near the boundary poses considerable difficulties, even for the case N = ℝn, in which the nonlinear equation reduces to ∂tu-Δu = 0. We proved the local existence and the uniqueness of the regular solution by a localized reflection method and the Leray-Schauder fixed point theorem. We then established the energy monotonicity formula and small energy regularity theorem for the regular solutions. These facts are used in this paper to construct various examples to show that the regular solutions may develop singularities in a finite time. A general blow-up theorem is also proven. Moreover, various a priori estimates are discussed to obtain a lower bound of the blow-up time. We also proved a global existence theorem of regular solutions under some geometrical conditions on N and Σ which are weaker than KN <-0 and Σ is totally geodesic in N.
Effects of Brassica oleracea waxblooms on predation and attachment by Hippodamia convergens

Four mutations that reduce waxbloom in Brassica oleracea L. were examined for their effects on predation, mobility, and adhesion to the plant surface by the general predator Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The mutations reduce waxbloom to different degrees, but all produce a ‘glossy’ phenotype. Plants tested were inbred lines, near isogenic lines, or segregating F2 populations, depending on the mutation. In an experiment on caged leaves, predation of Plutella xylostella L. larvae by H. convergens adult females was significantly greater on glossy types as compared with ‘normal-wax’ or wild-type counterparts. Although the trend was the same for each mutation, individual comparisons between glossy and normal-wax lines or segregants were only significant for two of them, those producing mutant alleles gl a and gl d . Individual H. convergens were observed to spend more time walking on leaf edges and less time walking on leaf surfaces of normal-wax plants than glossy plants. Hippodamia convergens also obtained better adhesion to the surfaces of glossy plants than to normal-wax plants when tested using a centrifugal device. Two of the mutations produced similarly strong effects on predation, behaviour, and adhesion by H. convergens. These two are the same previously determined by us to provide the strongest similar effects on another generalist predator, Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch). The results indicate that waxbloom variation in nature could affect herbivore populations through its effects on generalist predators.
A NEW EXTRACTION TECHNIQUE FOR ISOLATING CHLORPROMAZINE METABOLITES FROM URINE.

Abstract Investigations on the metabolism of chlorpromazine and related phenothiazine derivatives have been hampered by lack of an adequate method for the total extraction of these compounds and their metabolites from urine and other body fluids prior to analysis by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) or thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Extraction of alkaline urine with organic solvents such as hexane-isoamyl alcohol mixture (1.5% by volume of isoamyl alcohol in redistilled n-hexane) or ethylene chloride removes chlorpromazine, chlorpromazine-N-oxide chlorpromazine sulfoxide and dealkylation products of these compounds in varying degrees (1) . However, conjugated and highly polar derivatives can be removed only by continuous extraction with polar organic solvents (2) . This procedure is tedious, time consuming, and does not remove all of the drug metabolites quantitatively. A procedure has now been developed by which chlorpromazine metabolites can be isolated from urine in two well defined fractions by successive extraction with dichloromethane (DCM) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). This technique is an adaptation of a method previously used for the isolation of the glucuronides of 17-ketosteroids 3,4,5 .
Electronic spectra of cyclotetramolybdenum(II) diynes

Abstract Low-temperature electronic-absorption spectra are reported for the tetranuclear Mo(II) clusters Mo 4 Cl 8 (PR 3 ) 4 , R = Et and Bu″ (single crystals and dilute polymer films), and Mo 4 Br 8 (PBu n ) 4 (polymer film). The results support a molecular-orbital model in which the δ-bonds of the constituent Mo 2 subunits ( d (Mo 2 ) = 2.21–2.23 A) have been broken in the rectangular clusters with the formation of long-edge Mo-Mo single bonds ( d (Mo 2 ) ~ 2.9 A). There is no significant visible absorption polarized parallel to the short bonds; that is, the prominent metal-metal polarized 1 ( δ → δ * ) transition of quadruply bonded Mo 2 X 4 (PR 3 ) 4 complexes is not observed. A very intense near-UV absorption band at 311 nm (ɛ 30 600 M −1 cm −1 ) for Mo 4 Cl 8 (PBu 3 n ) 4 is assigned to the dipole-allowed 1 ( σ ′ → σ ′ * ) transition associated with the long Mo-Mo bonds. The many weaker absorption systems in the visible spectra, consisting exclusively of bands polarized either parallel to the long Mo-Mo bonds or perpendicular to the Mo 4 plane, are assigned to π → σ ′ * transitions and/or forbidden σ ′ → σ ′ * transitions. No electronic emission is observed, nor are transient-absorption signals with lifetimes of greater than 20 ns. Together with the absence of any photochemistry for visible irradiation, the results indicate that the excited states undergo rapid nonradiative decay to the ground state.
Regional cerebral glucose utilization during hyperglycemia.

: Previous data indicate that regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) decreases during acute and chronic hyperglycemia. To test the hypothesis that the decrease in rCBF is secondary to a decrease in cerebral metabolic rate, the rate of regional cerebral glucose utilization (rCMRgl) was measured in awake-restrained rats during acute and chronic hyperglycemia. Acute hyperglycemia was produced by intraperitoneal injection of glucose, and chronic hyperglycemia was produced by treatment with streptozotocin. The rCMRgl was measured over a 10-min period using [6-14CJglucose. Glucose utilization was normal during acute hyperglycemia but decreased by 13% following 3 weeks of chronic hyperglycemia. The absence of a decrease in rCMRgl measured during acute hyperglycemia indicates that decreased rCBF cannot be explained by a change in the metabolic rate of the brain. The decrease in rCMRgl measured during chronic hyperglycemia does not necessarily indicate the presence of a drop in the metabolic rate of the brain because ketone bodies are available as an alternate fuel for oxidative metabolism. Therefore, it is unlikely that the decrease in rCMRgl measured during chronic hyperglycemia accounts for decreased rCBF.
First Report of Laurel Wilt Disease Caused by a Raffaelea sp. on Avocado in Florida

Laurel wilt is a vascular disease of redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng.) and other plants in the family Lauraceae in the southeastern United States. It is caused by a fungus (Raffaelea sp.) that is vectored by a non-native insect of Asian origin, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff) (1). Since the initial detection of the redbay ambrosia beetle near Savannah, GA in 2002, laurel wilt has caused widespread mortality of redbay in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida (1). In September 2007, an avocado (Persea americana Mill.) tree planted approximately 10 years earlier in a residential neighborhood in Jacksonville, FL was discovered to be infected with laurel wilt. The crown was in various stages of decline, including upper branches that were dead and leafless, those with wilted and drooping foliage, and those with healthy foliage. Removal of bark from wilted branch sections revealed black-to-brown streaks of discoloration in the sapwood and a few ambrosia beetle holes from which the di...
Molecular dynamics simulation study of a two-dimensional fluid mixture system: A model for biological membranes

Abstract The computer simulation technique of molecular dynamics was applied to a model two-dimensional fluid mixture system to examine the short-range ordering of lipid and protein molecules in biological membranes. The model system consists of small disks (lipids) and large disks (proteins) with a radius ratio of 6, constrained to move in a plane. The particles interact with pairwise additive repulsive short range potentials, so as to simulate hard disks. periodic boundary conditions are assumed in order to minimize boundary effects. For values of the number density of the small disks and of the temperature appropriate for a lipid membrane, the fraction, f, of small disks ‘next to’ at least one large disk was computed by molecular dynamics. This was done as a function of concentration and for several definitions of ‘next to’. The molecular dynamics results show that, at moderately low mole fractions of the large disks, the calculated values of f deviate noticeably from the linear relation which would be expected in the absence of protein-protein proximity effects. The results are discussed in terms of current models of lipid-protein ordering in biological membranes.
Fundamental performance constraints in horizontal fusion of in-order cores

A conceptually appealing approach to supporting a broad range of workloads is a system comprising many small cores that can be fused, on demand, into larger cores. We demonstrate that using in-order cores for this purpose, even under idealized assumptions about fusion-related overheads, would introduce fundamental obstacles to achieving good performance - obstacles that are not present when out-of-order cores are used. Matching the performance of modern dynamically-scheduled designs demands that a fused machine be able to simultaneously manage a large number of active dataflow chains, many more than the amount of ILP typically extracted from the code. When it is in-order cores that are fused, this requirement, in turn, demands either that the active dataflow chains be carefully interleaved among the available issue queues, or that enough cores be provided for them to reside at distinct queues. Using an abstract model for reasoning about the performance of these machines, we show that the former option is fundamentally hard, in the sense that it necessitates instruction steering hardware that would be too complex to build. The latter option would demand so many cores that the machine would be overwhelmed by fusion-related overheads. In short, if the goal is to match the performance of modern dynamically-scheduled machines, fusion of in-order cores is not a very compelling approach; either a fundamentally new method for fusing cores is needed, or some form of out-of-order capability must be provided at the constituent cores.
The motion of small particles in non-Newtonian fluids

Abstract There are many problems in which the motion of a small particle, bubble or drop in a non-Newtonian fluid differs in an important qualitative way from its corresponding motion in a Newtonian fluid. From a theoretical point of view such problems are conveniently separated into two groups. In the first, some aspect of the particle's motion only exists, for small Reynolds number, because the suspending fluid is non-Newtonian. Examples of this class include the cross-stream (or lateral) motion of spherical particles in a unidirectional shear flow, rotational motion of an orthotropic particle in sedimentation (leading to a deterministic equilibrium orientation), and cross-orbital drift in the rotation of an axisymmetric particle in shear flow. In these cases, a major change in the orientation or position of the particle can result from small instantaneous contributions of non-Newtonian rheology to the particle's motion, provided that these act “cumulatively” over a sufficiently long period of time. An analytical description of the fluid mechanics relevant to this process may thus be based on the asymptotic limit of a nearly-Newtonian fluid using the so-called “retarded-motion” expansion, and a relevant constitutive model for viscoelastic materials is the Rivlin—Ericksen nth-order fluid. Comparison between theory and experiment shows excellent qualitative (and frequently quantitative) agreement for such problems even when the flow is too rapid, in a rheological sense, for strict adherence to the requirements of a retarded-motion expansion. The second major class of problems is that in which the observed difference between Newtonian and non-Newtonian behavior is due to an important, O(1) change in the fluid motion at all times. In this case, the only possible theoretical description which is valid in more than an asymptotic sense is one based on a full non-linear constitutive model, including “memory”, and thus a solution of the equations of motion is generally possible only via numerical methods. Unlike the first class of problems, an important determining factor in successful match between experiment and theory is therefore a judicious (fortunate?) choice of the constitutive model. In the second part of this paper, I shall discuss some examples of numerical and experimental studies which pertain to particle motions in the regime of strongly viscoelastic flows.
Cell Attachment and Protein Adsorption to Polypyrrole thin Films

Thin films of polypyrrole were synthesized using both chemical oxidative and electrochemical methods. The resulting oxidized films were characterized by UV/VIS spectroscopy, contact angle and conductivity measurements. In vitro studies suggest that extracellular matrix molecules, such as fibronectin, adsorb efficiently onto polypyrrole thin films and that 3T3 Balb/c mouse fibroblasts attach and spread normally on polypyrrole.
Relationships between differences in mother-father perceptions and self-concept and depression in children with epilepsy

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between differences in perceptions of mothers and fathers and self-concept and symptoms of depression, respectively, in 69 youth with epilepsy. Multiple regression was used to test whether the absolute difference scores between mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of family adaptive resources, stigma, their children’s negative coping behaviors, and their attitudes toward epilepsy were predictors of child self-concept and depression after adjusting for epilepsy severity, children’s attitudes toward epilepsy, and children’s ratings of family adaptation. Only the mother-father differences related to children’s negative coping behaviors significantly predicted children’s self-concept and depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that differences in perceptions related to children may be more highly associated with the children’s outcomes than differences related to family characteristics or the children’s illness.
Yeast identification by DNA sequencing in an undergraduate mycology laboratory.

A yeast identification procedure based on the sequencing of the D1/D2 region of the yeast 26S ribosomal DNA was presented in an undergraduate general mycology laboratory. Extracted genomic DNA of environmental yeasts collected by the students was used to PCR-amplify the D1/D2 region of the isolates. Agarose gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of the expected amplicon which was purified for sequencing by a spincolumn method then submitted to a commercial sequencing laboratory. The students examined the sequence of their isolates for base miscalls using Applied Biosytem’s Sequence Scan program. The sequences were then used to perform a BLAST search which compared them to the D1/D2 sequences of all validly described yeast species on file in the GenBank database. Of 37 isolates tested, 33 (89%) returned usable sequences for BLAST identification. The module required two lab periods of 1.5 and 2 hours, respectively, to complete with an enrollment of 40 students.
Induced Resistance in Agricultural Crops: Effects of Jasmonic Acid on Herbivory and Yield in Tomato Plants

Plants can be treated with natural plant elicitors to induce resistance to herbivores. To use elicitors in agriculture we must know the net effects of induction on plant yield. For 4 yr, I induced plant resistance to insect herbivores in tomato plants using the natural plant hormone jasmonic acid. Foliar jasmonic acid application increased levels of polyphenol oxidase, an oxidative enzyme implicated in resistance against several insect herbivores. Induced plants received 60% less leaf damage than did control plants. I then looked at the effects of this induction on seedling survivorship, phenology, fruit production, and plant biomass in the presence and absence of herbivores. Induced plants produced fewer flowers than control plants, but this did not translate into differences in yield between treatments. In addition, there was no difference in yield between induced and control plants under natural and experimentally reduced herbivore levels. This lack of effect on yield may have been caused by low levels of herbivory in the unmanipulated controls. Thus, it appears that jasmonic acid induces resistance in tomato plants and that this resistance produces no measurable costs to tomato plants. Elicitors such as jasmonic acid may be valuable pest management tools, especially when there are high densities of herbivores that can reduce yield.
Microprocessor reliability performance as a function of die location for a 0.25 /spl mu/, five layer metal CMOS logic process

In this paper, we present the results of multiple correlations between reliability (infant mortality and other reliability metrics) and yield on a die level basis for an advanced microprocessor fabricated using a 0.25 /spl mu/m, five layer metal CMOS logic process. Traceability information was programmed into each unit; infant mortality of edge die verses center die, effects of unusual sort yield signatures on infant mortality, alternating row effects, and the sources of variability of burn-in failures were investigated. The model with reliability defect density proportional to yield defect density was found to be in excellent agreement with experimental data over a wide range of yield values. The x-y die position yield was found to be an excellent predictor of infant mortality. The variation in infant mortality from wafer to wafer was found to be twice the lot to lot variation, consistent with the large number of single wafer processing tools used on advanced fabrication processes. As the traceability information is part of the standard manufacturing flow, this analysis was performed using a very large 1 million unit sample size. Die near the edge of the wafer were found to have worse reliability than those near the center; certain die locations were particularly poor. Unusual yield signatures at wafer sort often showed the same map of failures in burn-in. The level of resolution possible from a die level analysis also allowed us to identify specific tools and interactions between tools in the fabrication process which were responsible for reliability failures.
An analysis of single-layer networks in unsupervised feature learning

A great deal of research has focused on algorithms for learning features from unlabeled data. Indeed, much progress has been made on benchmark datasets like NORB and CIFAR by employing increasingly complex unsupervised learning algorithms and deep models. In this paper, however, we show that several simple factors, such as the number of hidden nodes in the model, may be more important to achieving high performance than the learning algorithm or the depth of the model. Specifically, we will apply several othe-shelf feature learning algorithms (sparse auto-encoders, sparse RBMs, K-means clustering, and Gaussian mixtures) to CIFAR, NORB, and STL datasets using only singlelayer networks. We then present a detailed analysis of the eect of changes in the model setup: the receptive field size, number of hidden nodes (features), the step-size (“stride”) between extracted features, and the eect of whitening. Our results show that large numbers of hidden nodes and dense feature extraction are critical to achieving high performance—so critical, in fact, that when these parameters are pushed to their limits, we achieve state-of-the-art performance on both CIFAR-10 and NORB using only a single layer of features. More surprisingly, our best performance is based on K-means clustering, which is extremely fast, has no hyperparameters to tune beyond the model structure itself, and is very easy to implement. Despite the simplicity of our system, we achieve accuracy beyond all previously published results on the CIFAR-10 and NORB datasets (79.6% and 97.2% respectively).
Asymbiotic seed germination and in vitro seedling development of Habenaria macroceratitis (Orchidaceae), a rare Florida terrestrial orchid

Continuing loss of native orchid habitat has lead to an increased emphasis on orchid conservation. Major obstacles in the production of native orchid seedlings for use in conservation have been: (1) development of efficient and reliable seed germination protocols and (2) an understanding of early seedling growth and development. Effects of six asymbiotic media (Modified Lucke, Murashige & Skoog, Lindemann, Vacin & Went, Malmgren Modified, Knudson C), four exogenous cytokinins (BA, Zea, Kin, 2-iP), and three photoperiods (0/24, 16/8, 24/0 h L/D) were examined on seed germination and early protocorm development of Habenaria macroceratitis, a rare native Florida terrestrial orchid. Finally, the effects of three photoperiods (8/16, 12/12, 16/8 h L/D) on in vitro seedling development were examined. Percent seed germination was highest on both LM and KC after seven weeks culture (LM = 89.1%, KC = 89.2%); however, protocorm development was enhanced on MM after both seven and 16 weeks. Both zeatin and kinetin at 1 µM enhanced seed germination (Zea = 58.1%, Kin = 47.2%). Final percent seed germination (91.7%) and protocorm development (Stage 4) was increased in the absence of light (0/24 h L/D). In␣vitro seedlings cultured under 8/16 h L/D conditions produced the highest number of tubers per seedling (1.06) with the greatest tuber (42.7 µg) and shoot (fwt = 69.5 µg) biomass and tuber diameter (3.1 mm).
Community pharmacists and colleges of pharmacy: The Ohio partnership

ABSTRACT Objective To develop pharmacist practice standards, pharmacy preceptor standards, and objectives for students completing advanced practice community pharmacy rotations. Setting Ohio. Practice Description Pharmacy schools and community pharmacies that serve as advanced practice rotation sites. Practice Innovation Developed standards for preceptors and objectives for student experiences. Interventions Focus groups that included both community pharmacists and pharmacy faculty collaborated on defining key standards for advanced community pharmacy rotations. Main Outcome Measure Not applicable. Results Three main documents were produced in this initiative, and these are provided as appendices to this article. Professional and patient care guidelines for preceptors define minimum standards for these role models. Expectations of pharmacists as preceptors provide insights for managing this student–teacher relationship, which is fundamentally different from the more common employer–employee and coworker relationships found in pharmacies of all types. Objectives for student experiences during advanced practice community pharmacy rotations present core expectations in clinical, dispensing, patient education, wellness, and drug information areas. Conclusion Through this collaboration, Ohio colleges of pharmacy developed a partnership with practitioners in community settings that should enhance the Ohio experiential educational program for student pharmacists. Use of the established guidelines will help educators and practitioners achieve their shared vision for advanced practice community pharmacy rotations and promote high-quality patient care.
Black College Athletes’ Perceptions of Academic Success and the Role of Social Support

The purpose of this study is to understand Black college athletes’ perceptions of academic success and how social support contributes to their academic success at predominantly white institution of higher education (PWIHE). Utilizing a qualitative approach, the authors conducted narrative interviews to capture the experiences of Black college athletes (n = 9) at a PWIHE in the southwest region of the United States. Critical race theory was employed to understand the social realities and academic experiences of racial minorities within the academic environment. Findings revealed Black college athletes’ social support was based on their role as a college athlete and as a racial minority, thus reinforcing the notion of social isolation and alienation. Acknowledging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) definition of academic success (e.g., grade point average, graduation), it is plausible that understanding how college athletes perceive academic success and value of social support can aid in ...
The American Century from Beginning to End

Donald W. White. The American Century: The Rise and Decline of the United States as a World Power
Silver Products for Medical Indications: Risk-Benefit Assessment

Background: Legitimate medicinal use of silver-containing products has dramatically diminished over the last several decades. Recently, however, some manufacturers have begun to enthusiastically pr...
Statin Therapy Is Associated With Fewer Infections After Cardiac Operations

Background Statins interact with multiple pathways involved in infection. Therefore, we examined the association between preoperative statin therapy and infections after cardiac operations and assessed whether statin therapy was associated with lower infection-related mortality. Methods From January 2005 to January 2011, 12,741 patients underwent cardiac operations. Endpoints were (1) postoperative infections and (2) mortality after an infectious complication. A propensity score was developed on the probability of patients receiving statin therapy; patients were matched in part on this score. A multivariable logistic model was developed to examine mortality. Survival of infected patients was estimated using Kaplan-Meier and multiphase hazard function methodology. Results A total of 6,113 patients (48%) were receiving statins and 6,628 (52%) were not. Five hundred fifteen patients had postoperative infections—260 (4.3%) in the statin group and 255 (3.8%) in the no-statin group. However, patients receiving statins were older with more comorbidities and less favorable operative characteristics. Among propensity-matched groups, postoperative infections were significantly lower in patients receiving statins (n = 102 [3.1%]) than in those who were not (n = 147 [4.5%]; p = 0.004). Among patients in whom infections developed, there was no significant difference in hospital mortality between the statin and no-statin groups either before or after propensity-score matching (odds ratio, 1.38; confidence limit [CL], 0.59, 3.22; p = 0 . 5). Conclusions We observed a protective effect of statin therapy against the development of infections after cardiac operations, but not on mortality from these infections. Prospective investigations are needed to determine optimal dose and duration of statin therapy and their relationship to infectious complications.
On the reduction of the programming cost of soft switches for reconfigurable two-dimensional arrays

Methods for reducing the cost involved in the programming of nonpermanent (soft) switching elements in an augmented interconnection network for reconfigurable two-dimensional arrays are considered. The proposed approach is based on an optimised execution of the disjoint tree programming technique proposed by Boubekeur et al. Reduction in cost is analysed with respect to either the sequential or parallel execution of the programming process for the soft switches of the array. The formulation and characterization of two different figures for evaluating the cost of switch programming, are given with respect to a global reduction (rather than heuristically as in previous approaches).
A comparison of four-image reconstruction algorithms for 3-D PET imaging of MDAPET camera using phantom data

We compared two fully three-dimensional (3-D) image reconstruction algorithms and two 3-D rebinning algorithms followed by reconstruction with a two-dimensional (2-D) filtered-backprojection algorithm for 3-D positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The two 3-D image reconstruction algorithms were ordered-subsets expectation-maximization (3D-OSEM) and 3-D reprojection (3DRP) algorithms. The two rebinning algorithms were Fourier rebinning (FORE) and single slice rebinning (SSRB). The 3-D projection data used for this work were acquired with a high-resolution PET scanner (MDAPET) with an intrinsic transaxial resolution of 2.8 mm. The scanner has 14 detector rings covering an axial field-of-view of 38.5 mm. We scanned three phantoms: 1) a uniform cylindrical phantom with inner diameter of 21.5 cm; 2) a uniform 11.5-cm cylindrical phantom with four embedded small hot lesions with diameters of 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm; and 3) the 3-D Hoffman brain phantom with three embedded small hot lesion phantoms with diameters of 3, 5, and 8.6 mm in a warm background. Lesions were placed at different radial and axial distances. We evaluated the different reconstruction methods for MDAPET camera by comparing the noise level of images, contrast recovery, and hot lesion detection, and visually compared images. We found that overall the 3D-OSEM algorithm, especially when images post filtered with the Metz filter, produced the best results in terms of contrast-noise tradeoff, and detection of hot spots, and reproduction of brain phantom structures. Even though the MDAPET camera has a relatively small maximum axial acceptance (/spl plusmn/5 deg), images produced with the 3DRP algorithm had slightly better contrast recovery and reproduced the structures of the brain phantom slightly better than the faster 2-D rebinning methods.
Spectroscopic detection of (i) intrinsic band edge defects, and (ii) transition metal (TM) and rare earth lanthanide (REL) atom occupied states in elemental and complex oxides: A novel pathway to (i) device reliability and (ii) increased functionality in ULSI CMOS

A novel application of synchrotron soft-X-ray spectroscopy is applied to (i) the detection of intrinsic bonding defects, and (ii) partially occupied TM and REL atom valence band edge dand d- and f-states. Spectroscopic identification and correlation with electrical performance is crucial for the identification and optimization of TM/REL elemental and complex oxides for advanced ULSI devices.
CyberKnife radiosurgery for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

Object. Gamma knife surgery is an accepted treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The safety and efficacy of CyberKnife radiosurgery as a treatment option for TN, however, has not been established. Methods. Forty-one patients were treated between May 2002 and September 2004 for idiopathic TN at Stanford University and the Rocky Mountain CyberKnife Center. Patients with atypical pain, multiple sclerosis, or previous radiosurgical treatment or a follow-up duration of less than 6 months were excluded. Patients were evaluated for the level of pain control, response rate, time to pain relief, occurrence of hypesthesia, and time to pain recurrence with respect to the length of the nerve treated and the maximum and the minimum dose to the nerve margin. Thirty-eight patients (92.7%) experienced initial pain relief at a median of 7 days after treatment (range , 24 hours‐4 months). Pain control was ranked as excellent in 36 patients (87.8%), moderate in two (4.9%), and three (7.3%) reported no change. Six (15.8%) of the 38 patients with initial relief experienced a recurrence of pain at a median of 6 months (range 2‐8 months). Long-term response after a mean follow-up time of 11 months was found in 32 (78%) of 41. Twenty-one patients (51.2%) experienced numbness after treatment. Conclusions. CyberKnife radiosurgery for TN has high rates of initial pain control and short latency to pain relief compared with those reported for other radiosurgery systems. The doses used for treatment were safe and effective. Higher prescribed doses were not associated with improvement in pain relief or recurrence rate. The hypesthesia rate was related to the length of the trigeminal nerve treated.
The Moduli Space of Real Abelian Varieties with Level Structure

The moduli space of principally polarized Abelian varieties with real structure and with level N = 4m structure (with m≥1) is shown to coincide with the set of real points of a quasi-projective algebraic variety defined over ℚ, and to consist of finitely many copies of the quotient of the space GL(n, ℝ)/O(N) (of positive definite symmetric matrices) by the principal congruence subgroup of level N in GL(n, ℤ).