cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transfer function for electromagnetic propagation through anisotropic metamaterials

The Berreman matrix method has been previously used to model electromagnetic plane wave propagation through a hyperbolic metamaterial, and to determine transmission and reflection coefficients as a function of wavelength and varying angles of incidence. The Berreman matrix approach is now used to derive the propagation transfer function matrix in such materials. The eigenvalues of the Berreman matrix, which determine the transfer function, depend on the anisotropy. Beam propagation in such anisotropic materials are simulated using the transfer functions of all components of the electric (and magnetic) fields. Implications of this on negative refraction and the self-lensing of beams are explored.
4D Printing of Net Shape Parts Made from Ni-Mn-Ga Magnetic Shape-Memory Alloys

Abstract This work investigates an additive manufacturing route of producing functional net shaped parts from pre-alloyed magnetic shape-memory Ni-Mn-Ga powders. Three types of Ni-Mn-Ga powders were used in this investigation: spark eroded in liquid nitrogen (LN2), spark eroded in liquid argon (LAr), and ball milled (BM). Additive manufacturing via powder bed binder jetting, also known as 3D printing (3DP), was used in this research due to both relatively easy control of part porosity and the possibility to obtain complex shaped parts from Ni-Mn-Ga alloys. The four-dimension (4D) is created by the predictable change in 3D printed part configuration over time as the result of shape-memory functionality. Binder jetting of Ni-Mn-Ga powders followed by curing and sintering proved successful in producing net shaped porous structures (spring-like, 3-D hierarchical lattice structures, etc.) with good mechanical strength. Parts with porosities between 24.08% and 73.43% have been obtained by using powders with distinct morphologies. The printed Ni-Mn-Ga parts undergo reversible martensitic transformation during heating and cooling, which is a prerequisite for the shape-memory behavior. Thermo-magneto-mechanical trained 3D printed parts obtained from ball milled Ni-Mn-Ga powders showed reversible magnetic-field-induced strains (MFISs) of up to 0.01%. The additive manufacturing is a viable technology in solving the design issues of functional parts made of Ni-Mn-Ga magnetic shape-memory alloys (MSMA).
Identification of a resilient mouse facial motoneuron population following target disconnection by injury or disease.

BACKGROUND When nerve transection is performed on adult rodents, a substantial population of neurons survives short-term disconnection from target, and the immune system supports this neuronal survival, however long-term survival remains unknown. Understanding the effects of permanent axotomy on cell body survival is important as target disconnection is the first pathological occurrence in fatal motoneuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine if facial motoneurons (FMN) could survive permanent target disconnection up to 26 weeks post-operation (wpo) after facial nerve axotomy (FNA). In addition, the potentially additive effects of immunodeficiency and motoneuron disease on post-axotomy FMN survival were examined. METHODS This study included three wild type (WT) mouse strains (C57BL/6J, B6SJL, and FVB/NJ) and three experimental models (RAG-2-/-: immunodeficiency; mSOD1: ALS; Smn-/-/SMN2+/+: SMA). All animals received a unilateral FNA, and FMN survival was quantified at early and extended post-operative timepoints. RESULTS In the C57BL/6J WT group, FMN survival significantly decreased at 10 wpo (55±6%), and then remained stable out to 26 wpo (47±6%). In the RAG-2-/- and mSOD1 groups, FMN death occurred much earlier at 4 wpo, and survival plateaued at approximately 50% at 10 wpo. The SMA model and other WT strains also exhibited approximately 50% FMN survival after FNA. CONCLUSION These results indicate that immunodeficiency and motoneuron disease accelerate axotomy-induced neuron death, but do not increase total neuron death in the context of permanent target disconnection. This consistent finding of a target disconnection-resilient motoneuron population is prevalent in other peripheral nerve injury models and in neurodegenerative disease models as well. Characterization of the distinct populations of vulnerable and resilient motoneurons may reveal new therapeutic approaches for injury and disease.
Influence of low-velocity impact-induced delamination on electrical resistance in carbon fiber-reinforced composite laminates:

In this paper, experiments have been performed and finite element models have been developed for studying the influence of low-velocity impact damage on the four-probe electrical resistance of carb...
Phase Equilibria and Colligative Properties

The chemical potential of a system is zero at equilibrium. To maintain equilibrium, a change in T, for example, must be balanced by a change in P, to keep the net chemical potential change equal to zero. For two phases, the chemical potential of any component must be equal. A differential change dμ 1 in phase 1 must be balanced by an equal change, dμ 2, in phase 2. These one and two phase balance equations are used to develop a broad range of equations, the equations for colligative properties.
Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Well-Defined Block Copolypeptides via Controlled NCA Polymerization

This article summarizes advances in the synthesis of well-defined polypeptides and block copolypeptides. Traditional methods used to polymerize α-amino acid-N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) are described, and limitations in the utility of these systems for the preparation of polypeptides are discussed. Improved initiators and methods that allow polypeptide synthesis with good control over chain length, chain length distribution, and chain-end functionality are also discussed. Using these methods, block and random copolypeptides of controlled dimensions (including molecular weight, sequence, composition, and molecular weight distribution) can now be prepared. The ability of well-defined block copolypeptides to assemble into supramolecular copolypeptide micelles, copolypeptide vesicles, and copolypeptide hydrogels is described. Many of these assemblies have been found to possess unique properties that are derived from the amino acid building blocks and ordered conformations of the polypeptide segments. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.
Vectorial accumulation of cathepsin D in retinal pigmented epithelium: effects of age

The extracellular accumulation of n-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) and a cathepsin D-like enzymatic activity were studied in human retinal pigmented epithelium cultured on nitrocellulose filter inserts. These enzymes accumulated in both the apical and basal extracellular fluid. For NAG, the total extracellular activity accumulated in 24 hours was 7.3 +/- 1.75% of the total cell-associated activity, while the cathepsin D-like activity was 10 +/- 0.71% of the total cell-associated activity. The distribution of the extracellular activity was 60/40%, basal/apical, for NAG and was constant regardless of the age of the donor. In contrast, the distribution for the cathepsin D-like activity ranged from 70/30 to 10/90 and showed a marked age dependence in RPE obtained from donors aged 9-93 years. These levels of activity were stable for at least 2 months in culture. The cathepsin D-like activity differed from the NAG in that the presence of mannose-6-phosphate in the medium did not result in increased extracellular accumulation of cathepsin D activity.
Prenatal tobacco and marijuana co-use: Impact on newborn neurobehavior.

Abstract Tobacco and marijuana are some of the most common prenatal substance exposures worldwide. The social acceptability and political landscape of marijuana and its potency have changed dramatically in the last two decades leading to increased use by pregnant women. Despite evidence for increasing marijuana use and high rates of co-use of tobacco (TOB) and marijuana (MJ) during pregnancy, the impact of prenatal exposure to each substance is typically studied in isolation. We investigated the influence of co-exposure to TOB and MJ on infant neurobehavioral development over the first postnatal month. Participants were 111 mother-infant pairs from a low-income, diverse sample (Mean age = 25 ± 5; 54% minorities). TOB and MJ use were assessed by Timeline Followback interview with biochemical confirmation. Three groups were identified: (a) prenatal MJ + TOB, (b) prenatal TOB only, (c) controls. Newborn neurobehavior was assessed at seven time points over the first postnatal month using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale. MJ + TOB-exposed infants showed decreased ability to self-soothe (Self-regulation) and attend to stimuli (Attention), and increased need for examiner soothing (Handling) and low motor activity (Lethargy) versus unexposed infants. Despite low levels of MJ use in MJ + TOB co-users, co-exposure was associated with nearly double the impact on infant self-soothing and need for examiner soothing versus TOB-exposure alone. Effects of MJ + TOB co-exposure appeared more pronounced for daughters than for sons. Although results are preliminary, they highlight additional risk from dual exposure to MJ + TOB vs. TOB exposure alone, particularly for daughters. Results also highlight the critical importance of investigating prenatal exposures in concert and the need for intervention efforts to address MJ co-use in pregnant TOB users.
Preliminary testing of a patient-reported outcome measure for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.

6050 Background: There are no patient reported outcome measures developed and tested in patients with recurrent-metastatic head and neck cancer (RMHNC). Symptom (sx) burden in RMHNC is poorly descr...
Strategy Planning in Media and Information Firms

The chapter deals with strategy setting in the media and information sector. It begins with an introduction of major theories and tools of business strategy: business policy, game theory, competitive analysis, core competencies, and the adaptability approach. The second part of the chapter deals with the process of formulating strategy and how the various constituencies engage in strategic planning. The main elements are an assessment of the external setting of the company: markets, users, competitors, and barriers to entry. The internal assessment covers a firms’ core competency and competitive advantage, its leadership, and its human, financial, technological, and intellectual asset resources. These analyses are applied to identify strategy options. The generic options for media and digital companies are then discussed. How does one select among strategies? The chapter lays out several selection methodologies. A final issue concerns the implementation of the strategy along with the challenges of internal communications, reorganization, budgeting, monitoring, control, and feedback.
Using Trade Books to Teach about Clay Minerals

Research shows that content area knowledge and attitudes toward academic subjects can be enhanced when teachers use trade books in their classrooms. This article reports on an analysis of children's books relating to the topic of clay minerals. Various genres, including biography, fiction, informational books, how-to books, and picture books, are represented. The literary works described represent a wide range in terms of text difficulty and sophistication of concepts, offering opportunities for differentiated instruction. Teachers can teach scientific concepts and facts related to clay through stories, whether fictional or biographical. They can use books providing directions for hands-on activities to involve students in curricular projects with the goal of increased academic achievement. The text, illustrations, and photographs in trade books can motivate students to learn about clay minerals and provide resources for continued investigation.
Mortality among male smokers and smokeless tobacco users in the USA.

One published study simultaneously reported the mortality associated with cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco (ST) use in the USA. In this study, we focus only on men ages 40–79 years old and extend the follow-up by 4 years. We used selected years (1987–2010) of National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Linked Mortality Files to classify 46,104 men age 40–79 years with respect to 7 categories of smoking and/or ST use. We used Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income, health status, body mass index, and region to estimate hazard ratios (HRs; 95% confidence intervals, CI) for mortality from all causes, heart diseases, malignant neoplasms, and two mutually exclusive categories: smoking-related and other diseases. There were 15,540 deaths from all causes, including 3476 never tobacco users, 4782 exclusive smokers, and 210 exclusive ST users. The latter had significant excess mortality from all causes (HR = 1.25, CI = 1.08–1.46), but not from heart diseases (HR = 1.16, CI = 0.85–1.59), malignant neoplasms (HR = 1.17, CI = 0.83–1.67), and all smoking-related diseases (HR = 1.19, CI = 0.97–1.46). However, they had higher mortality for all other causes (1.39, CI = 1.10–1.74), which was largely seen in age 40–59 years (HR = 1.68, CI = 1.11–2.54). Current smokers, with or without ST use, also had significantly elevated HRs for other causes (1.70 and 1.57, respectively), in addition to significant increases in mortality from heart diseases (1.98 and 2.00), malignant neoplasms (2.60 and 2.84), and all smoking-related diseases (2.32 and 2.47). This is the first simultaneous mortality follow-up study of older American male smokers and ST users. ST users did not have excess mortality from any smoking-related diseases, but younger users had an elevation in deaths from other causes.
Polarization states synthesizer based on a thermo-optic dielectric metasurface

A tunable polarization state converter/synthesizer based on an anisotropic resonant metasurface (ARM) is demonstrated. The semiconductor-based metasurface is designed to have a thermo-optically actuated optical mode excited by an incident free-space optical field. A diversity of output polarization states is reversibly generated and controlled by the temperature-dependent phase retardance between the two principal linear polarization states. The effect of metasurface inhomogeneity on the range of achievable polarization states is discussed and quantified, and the potential routes to “perfect” efficiency are suggested. By virtue of having a thickness of a fraction of the operating wavelength, ARMs represent a novel class of tunable polarization states’ generating devices poised to find use in free-space communications and other applications.
A simple mass-action model predicts protein timecourses from mRNA trajectories during a dynamic response in two strains of S. cerevisiae

Abstract Although mRNA is a necessary precursor to protein, several studies1–12 have argued that the relationship between mRNA and protein levels is often weak. This claim undermines the functional relevance of conclusions based on quantitative analyses of mRNA levels, which are ubiquitous in modern biology from the single gene to the whole genome scale. Furthermore, if post-translational processes vary between strains and species, then comparative studies based on mRNA alone would miss an important driver of diversity13,14. However, gene expression is a dynamic process, and most studies examining relationship between mRNA and protein levels at the genome scale have analyzed single timepoints15,16. Here we show that protein level timecourses can be predicted from mRNA timecourses through a simple generative model for a majority of genes involved in the yeast pheromone response. We find that this generative process acts as a buffer on mRNA level differences such that many mRNA differences between yeast strains are not reflected in the protein level. Evolution manipulates protein-specific processes to amplify or buffer transcriptional regulation.
An Exemplar Interprofessional Academic Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program: A Blueprint for Success

Emergency department census rates and manpower gaps have continued to rise over the past decade, creating a demand for well-prepared emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs). The implementation of the consensus model for advanced practice nurses has brought acknowledgment by leading health care, physician, and nursing organizations of the ENP specialty as critical to building a high-quality emergency care workforce. Recognition of the ENP's unique skill set, and therefore need of specialty certification, has led to a growing interest in the expansion of nurse practitioner curricula in emergency care. This article describes a novel approach for ENP education based on an interprofessional training model, with an in-depth discussion of curriculum development and clinical placement, as well as program outcomes and implications.
Global food waste across the income spectrum: Implications for food prices, production and resource use

Abstract There are few examples in the existing literature that address the quantitative linkages between food waste, food security, and environmental sustainability, at global scale. Here we develop a new panel database on household food waste at the national level based on the Energy Balance equation, including adjustments for changes in body weight over time. We use this to characterize the non-linear relationship between per capita income and the share of food availability wasted. By incorporating this relationship into a global partial equilibrium model of the agricultural sector (SIMPLE), we develop future trajectories of household food waste. We find that the emerging economies, particularly China and South Asia, are likely to play a key role in determining global food waste at mid-century. We also present several counterfactual scenarios that shed light on the implications for environmental and food security of limiting future growth in food waste. We find that the global impacts of these alternative pathways are greatly enhanced in the context of a more open international trade regime.
Clostridioides Difficile Infection Is a Rare Cause of Infectious Pouchitis

Introduction The true incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with an ileal pouch is unknown, and there is little published on its associated risk factors. Objective We aimed to evaluate the rate and risk factors of CDI in pouch patients. Methods This was a retrospective review conducted at a single tertiary care inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center. All ulcerative colitis or IBD-unspecified (IBD-U) patients who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis for medically refractory disease or dysplasia between 2008 and 2017 were identified. Symptomatic patients tested for CDI were included. Demographic, disease, and surgical characteristics were collected. Nonparametric methods were used to compare continuous outcomes, and χ2 and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare patients with and without CDI as appropriate. Results A total of 154 pouch patients had postoperative C. difficilestool testing for symptoms of fever, urgency, increased stool frequency, hematochezia, incontinence, and abdominal and/or pelvic pain. CDI was diagnosed in 11 (7.1%) patients a median of 139 days (IQR 34-1,170) after the final surgical stage. Ten patients (90.9%) received oral vancomycin for 10 days and 1 patient (9.1%) received oral metronidazole for 2 weeks. Ten patients (90.9%) reported improvement in symptoms at completion of therapy. Nine patients (81.8%) were retested for CDI for recurrent symptoms and found to be negative. No patient had CDI recurrence. There was no significant difference in demographic and surgical characteristics, previous antibiotic or proton pump inhibitor use, or previous hospital admission among the patients with and without CDI. Conclusions CDI is a rare cause of infectious pouchitis and treatment with oral vancomycin improves symptoms.
Breast Cancer Metastasis Masquerading as a Primary Gynecological / Colonic Malignancy: A Rare Diagnostic Conundrum.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women. Metastatic involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract secondary to a primary breast malignancy is rare. Here, we describe the case of a 60-year-old woman with a history of right lobular breast cancer (diagnosed and treated five years prior to presentation) who presented with fatigue, generalized abdominal pain, distension, weight loss, and vomiting. Her initial imaging was suspicious for a primary gynecological malignancy; however, subsequent workup showed a colonic mass. Total colonoscopy revealed colon metastases, and an immunohistochemical profile favored invasive lobular carcinoma of breast. Most cases of gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer have lobular histology; however, colonic involvement is rare.
Well-Posedness and Stability of a Mindlin–Timoshenko Plate Model with Damping and Sources

This note gives a concise summary of results concerning the well-posedness and long-time behavior of (Reissner)–Mindlin–Timoshenko plate equations as presented in Pei et al. (Local and global well-posedness for semilinear Reissner–Mindlin–Timoshenko plate equations, 2013 and Global well-posedness and stability of semilinear Mindlin–Timoshenko system, 2013). The main feature of the considered model is the interplay between nonlinear viscous interior damping and nonlinear source terms. The results include Hadamard local well-posedness, global existence, blow-up theorems, as well as estimates on the uniform energy decay rates.
Feasibility of a Computer Role-Playing Game to Promote Empathy in Nursing Students: The Role of Immersiveness and Perspective.

Empathy is considered a cornerstone of high-quality health care and a required element of nursing education. Although computer role-playing games (CRPGs) are a promising tool to promote clinical em...
Integrated spatial genomics reveals global architecture of single nuclei.

Identifying the relationships between chromosome structures, nuclear bodies, chromatin states and gene expression is an overarching goal of nuclear-organization studies1–4. Because individual cells appear to be highly variable at all these levels5, it is essential to map different modalities in the same cells. Here we report the imaging of 3,660 chromosomal loci in single mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells using DNA seqFISH+, along with 17 chromatin marks and subnuclear structures by sequential immunofluorescence and the expression profile of 70 RNAs. Many loci were invariably associated with immunofluorescence marks in single mouse ES cells. These loci form ‘fixed points’ in the nuclear organizations of single cells and often appear on the surfaces of nuclear bodies and zones defined by combinatorial chromatin marks. Furthermore, highly expressed genes appear to be pre-positioned to active nuclear zones, independent of bursting dynamics in single cells. Our analysis also uncovered several distinct mouse ES cell subpopulations with characteristic combinatorial chromatin states. Using clonal analysis, we show that the global levels of some chromatin marks, such as H3 trimethylation at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) and macroH2A1 (mH2A1), are heritable over at least 3–4 generations, whereas other marks fluctuate on a faster time scale. This seqFISH+-based spatial multimodal approach can be used to explore nuclear organization and cell states in diverse biological systems. Multiplexed imaging of 3,660 chromosomal loci in individual mouse embryonic stem cells by DNA seqFISH+ with immunofluorescence of 17 chromatin marks and subnuclear structures reveals invariant organization of loci within individual cells, and heterogeneous and long-lived distinct combinatorial chromatin states in cellular subpopulations.
New Directions in Globular Cluster Modeling

Recent observations show a fascinating and abundant presence of many different types of binaries and binary remnants in globular clusters. What was a perceived dearth of binaries only a few years ago has now turned into a veritable zoo of interesting objects. Besides the, now classic, X-ray binaries, dozens of millisecond pulsars have been detected, scores of blue stragglers, significant numbers of spectroscopic as well as eclipsing variables, and clear evidence for main-sequence broadening caused by the presence of a significant fraction of binaries.
Analytical threshold voltage model for design and evaluation of tri-gate MOSFETs

A framework for assessing fundamental device properties of tri-gate device is presented. The dynamics of the threshold voltage calculation is evaluated for the tri-gate architecture of device. Limited comparison to double gate device is also presented.
International Encyclopedia of Hospitality Management

The International Encyclopedia of Hospitality Management covers all of the relevant issues in the field of hospitality management from both a sectoral level including lodging, restaurants, clubs, time-share, conventions and afunctional one from accounting to information technology.
Conversion of photon spin to electron spin for quantum repetition

Coherent spin transfer from photons to electrons is a key process in semiconductor quantum repeaters. We discuss experimental progress towards this goal, including the capture, detection and storage of single photoelectrons in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures.
Characterization of Graphite Fiber Surfaces with Raman Spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize the fiber surface of graphite and carbon fibers. A correlation exists between the Raman spectrum of the fiber surface and the shear strength of the com po...
Are You Being Fooled? Audit Quality and Quality of Government

We investigate the impact of audit quality on the quality of government in a large cross-section of countries. We assess government performance using measures of six dimensions of governance, namely, voice and accountability, political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law and control of corruption. We assess audit quality by a variable indicating the percentage of firms in the country audited by the big 5 accounting firms. We find that countries that have a high level of audit quality exhibit superior government performance. The results based on 33 countries, persist after controlling for quality of life. Quality of life had a positive relationship with government performance. The importance of audit quality in explaining the variation in government performance across countries shed light on the strong role of auditing in society.
Low resistance Pd/Ge ohmic contacts to epitaxially lifted-off n-type GaAs film

A low resistance PdGe nonalloyed ohmic contact has been successfully formed to epitaxially lifted-off n-type GaAs films. The contact is made by lifting off partially metallized n-type GaAs films using the epitaxial lift-off method and bonding them to metallized Si substrates by natural intermolecular Van Der Waals forces. Low temperature sintering (200°C) of this contact results in metallurgical bonding and formation of the ohmic contact. We have measured specific contact resistances of 5 × 10−5 Ω-cm2 which is almost half the value obtained for pure Pd contacts. Germanium forms a degenerately doped heterojunction interfacial layer to GaAs. Our experimental results show that germanium diffuses to the interface and acts as a dopant layer to n-GaAs film surface. Therefore, for epitaxially lifted-off n-type GaAs films, PdGe is a low resistance ohmic metal contact to use.
Simultaneous Symptomatic Rathke’s Cleft Cyst and GH Secreting Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Report

A case of symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst and growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenoma is described. A patient presented with a visual field deficit and a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study demonstrated compression of the optic chiasm by a large suprasellar cyst and a small lesion in the sellar consistent with a microadenoma. Preoperative clinical evaluation revealed mild acromegalic features, glucose intolerance, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and carpel tunnel syndrome, and blood testing confirmed an elevated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). A modified transsphenoidal skull based approach was performed for selective transsphenoidal adenomectomy and decompression of the surprasellar cyst. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course with resolution of the visual field deficits and dysmenorrhea. Endocrine testing at two-month post procedure were normal. While there have been a small number of cases reported of concomitant pituitary adenomas and Rathke's cleft cysts, there is no report known to these authors of coexisting symptomatic lesions.
The Mini-Mental State exam may help in the differentiation of dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease.

Objective Since patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) tend to have greater impairment of attention and construction and better memory ability on neuropsychological tests than patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), we determined if the items that measure attention, memory, and construction in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) help to distinguish DLB from AD early in the course of the dementia. Design We retrospectively studied the first available MMSE exam for each of our patients with DLB or AD and compared their MMSE subscores for attention, memory, and construction. Setting A university dementia brain bank in central Illinois, USA. Patients All patients with neuropathologically-proven DLB or AD with MMSE scores≥13. Results We identified 17 DLB and 27 AD patients for whom we had MMSE exams. The attention and construction subtest scores of the DLB group were worse (p=0.0071 and p=0.0038, respectively) than those of the AD group. The memory subscores of the DLB group were better, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.22). When a mathematical equation was used to combine the three subscores with equal weighting (), the scores of the DLB group were worse (p=0.00007). Using this equation, a score less than 5 points was associated with DLB with a sensitivity of 0.82 (95% Confidence Interval (CI)=0.57–0.96) and a specificity of 0.81 (95% CI=0.62–0.94). Conclusions Our findings support the work of others regarding the relative neuropsychological impairments of DLB and AD and indicate that the MMSE may be helpful in the differentiation of DLB and AD. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student-reported school drinking fountain availability by youth characteristics and state plumbing codes.

Introduction Caloric intake among children could be reduced if sugar-sweetened beverages were replaced by plain water. School drinking water infrastructure is dictated in part by state plumbing codes, which generally require a minimum ratio of drinking fountains to students. Actual availability of drinking fountains in schools and how availability differs according to plumbing codes is unknown.
Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus tRNAGln Confines the Amidotransferase GatCAB to Asparaginyl-tRNAAsn Formation

Abstract Many prokaryotes form the amide aminoacyl-tRNAs glutaminyl-tRNA and asparaginyl-tRNA by tRNA-dependent amidation of the mischarged tRNA species, glutamyl-tRNA Gln or aspartyl-tRNA Asn . Archaea employ two such amidotransferases, GatCAB and GatDE, while bacteria possess only one, GatCAB. The Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus GatDE is slightly more efficient using Asn as an amide donor than Gln ( k cat / K M of 5.4 s −1 /mM and 1.2 s −1 /mM, respectively). Unlike the bacterial GatCAB enzymes studied to date, the M. thermautotrophicus GatCAB uses Asn almost as well as Gln as an amide donor ( k cat / K M of 5.7 s −1 /mM and 16.7 s −1 /mM, respectively). In contrast to the initial characterization of the M. thermautotrophicus GatCAB as being able to form Asn-tRNA Asn and Gln-tRNA Gln , our data demonstrate that while the enzyme is able to transamidate Asp-tRNA Asn ( k cat / K M of 125 s −1 /mM) it is unable to transamidate M. thermautotrophicus Glu-tRNA Gln . However, M. thermautotrophicus GatCAB is capable of transamidating Glu-tRNA Gln from H. pylori or B. subtilis , and M. thermautotrophicus Glu-tRNA Asn . Thus, M. thermautotrophicus encodes two amidotransferases, each with its own activity, GatDE for Gln-tRNA and GatCAB for Asn-tRNA synthesis.
Algebraic criterion for absolute stability, optimality and passivity of dynamic systems

Dynamic systems absolute stability, optimality and passivity algebraic criterion in terms of real even polynomial coefficients
Phosphate Heat Treatment of Milk to Prevent Bacteriophage Proliferation in Lactic Cultures

Summary The effects of various prosphate salts on bacteriophage proliferation in milk cultures and the binding of calcium in milk were studied, with the aim of developing a practical and reliable method for preventing bacteriophage development in lactic starter cultures. The kind and concentration of phosphate, pH, and heat treatment had a marked effect on phage inhibition, and the free calcium content of milk. Of the group of phosphate salts tested individually in milk, orthophosphates showed the greatest degree of bacteriophage inhibition. Most of the phage types tested were suppressed by 2% orthophosphate (salt), but the most resistant types required 3%. Heating the milk after adding the phosphate was essential to sufficiently bind most of the free calcium. Usually, the free calcium content of the treated milk ranged from 10 to 30 p.p.m. The phosphated milk became more effective as the pH of the phosphate buffer and milk was increased from pH 6.4 to 7.0. The best combination for phage inhibition, minimum milk precipitation, and economy was obtained when milk was heated with 1.7% orthophosphate salt, pH 6.6, followed by the addition of 0.3% pyrophosphate. Thirteen different lactic strains grossly contaminated with their respective phages were freed of phage within three to four subcultures in phosphated milk. In most instances, the activity of the cultures in phosphated milk was as great as or greater than in the controls.
Effect of a hump on the stability of subsonic boundary layers over an airfoil

Abstract The effect of a hump on the stability of subsonic boundary layers over an airfoil is investigated. The mean flow is calculated using an interacting boundary-layer solver which accounts or strong viscous-inviscid interaction and separation bubbles. The two-dimensional stability of the calculated two-dimensional mean flows is determined. The growth rates are integrated along a prescribed path to yield the amplification factor (i.e. N-factor), which is used to predict transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The analysis is performed for different heights and locations of the hump and for different Mach numbers. The results show that increasing the Mach number enhances separation, which partially offsets the stabilizing influence of compressibility. The most dangerous frequency decreases as the Mach number increases for a fixed hump location or the hump is moved downstream for a fixed Mach number. Moreover, the amplification factor increases as the hump height increases and the peak amplification factor increases and moves further downstream as the hump is moved downstream. The influence of suction and heat-transfer strips on controlling the destabilizing influence of the hump is investigated. The results show that cooling and suction strips stabilize the flow and therefore delay transition from laminar to turbulent flow, whereas, a heating strip destabilizes the flow. Applying suction through multiple strips can be as effective as suction through a single strip. Also the total flow rate required using multiple strips may be less than that required using a single strip. Moreover, cooling through multiple strips is as effective as cooling through a single strip. We investigate optimal locations of suction and cooling strips for a certain hump location.
Calcium Binding Causes A Conformational Change in The RCK1 Domain of The BK(Ca) Channel

Calcium plays a major role in controlling the opening and closing of the large conductance BKCa channels. Two high affinity binding sites have been identified in the channel structure and one of these sites is the DRDD loop in the N-terminus of the RCK1 domain. Mutation of the first aspartate in this conserved DRDD motif significantly reduces Ca2+ sensitivity and hence this residue has been implicated as a coordinating group in the binding site. Here we present results on the prediction of the Ca2+ binding site based on a series of detailed computational studies. The basic protocol involves multiple iterations of random ion placement, implicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations and statistical analysis. Our resulting model matches very well with existing mutagenesis data, and subsequent explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations have been performed using this Ca2+ bound structure. Comparison of the dynamics and conformations of the Ca2+ bound and unbound simulations reveal a concerted conformational change in the structure and suggest a potential mechanism for calcium dependent activation of these channels.
Diminished corticosterone levels in nude mice implanted with MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 human breast tumor cells

Corticosteroid levels were studied in the plasma of athymic mice implanted with human breast tumor cells, either from MCF-7 or ZR-75-1 cell lines. There was a highly significant decrease in plasma corticosterone levels in the mice implanted with these tumor cells. There was no significant effect on corticosterone of GW 39 colon cancer cells, LS 174 T colon cancer cells, or Calu-3 lung cancer cells.
The nature of soil pernicious to Coptotermes formosanus

Abstract The Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus , were incubated in soils collected from various locations on the island of Hawaii. More than 70% of the termites died within 2 weeks in seven of nine soil samples collected from Kamuela. In control soil termites remained alive after 4 weeks. Entomophthora coronata, Metarrhizium anisopliae, Aspergillus flavus , and an unidentified bacterium were isolated from 60 to 100% of dead termites incubated in the pernicious soils. E. coronata and M. anisopliae were pathogenic to C. formosanus . The innocuous soil from Hilo became pernicious to C. formosanus after it was inoculated with E. coronata or M. anisopliae .
Pcl pulsation polarization and electron precipitation at college, Alaska

Abstract In this paper we report on a study of the association between the polarization states of Pcl and ULF pulsations (primarily IPDP) and electron precipitation recorded at College, Alaska in 1983. This study indicates that there is no direct association of precipitating electrons with Pcl pulsations exhibiting left-hand polarization at the ground. We examined 33 pulsation events which occurred in the afternoon magnetosphere during the first four months of 1983. Twenty-five of the pulsations were right-hand polarized and eight were left-hand polarized. Particle precipitation was observed during 16 of the right-hand polarized events and four of the left-hand polarized events. These results indicate that the handedness of a pulsation event is not a good predictor of associated electron precipitation. Recent investigations have shown that the propagation of Pcl waves in a multicomponent plasma can account for mixed polarization signatures on source field lines. Our results then indicate that the identification of a source field line based upon polarization information alone may be incorrect.
Altered Metabolism and Persistent Starvation Behaviors Caused by Reduced AMPK Function in Drosophila

Organisms must utilize multiple mechanisms to maintain energetic homeostasis in the face of limited nutrient availability. One mechanism involves activation of the heterotrimeric AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a cell-autonomous sensor to energetic changes regulated by ATP to AMP ratios. We examined the phenotypic consequences of reduced AMPK function, both through RNAi knockdown of the gamma subunit (AMPKγ) and through expression of a dominant negative alpha (AMPKα) variant in Drosophila melanogaster. Reduced AMPK signaling leads to hypersensitivity to starvation conditions as measured by lifespan and locomotor activity. Locomotor levels in flies with reduced AMPK function were lower during unstressed conditions, but starvation-induced hyperactivity, an adaptive response to encourage foraging, was significantly higher than in wild type. Unexpectedly, total dietary intake was greater in animals with reduced AMPK function yet total triglyceride levels were lower. AMPK mutant animals displayed starvation-like lipid accumulation patterns in metabolically key liver-like cells, oenocytes, even under fed conditions, consistent with a persistent starved state. Measurements of O2 consumption reveal that metabolic rates are greater in animals with reduced AMPK function. Lastly, rapamycin treatment tempers the starvation sensitivity and lethality associated with reduced AMPK function. Collectively, these results are consistent with models that AMPK shifts energy usage away from expenditures into a conservation mode during nutrient-limited conditions at a cellular level. The highly conserved AMPK subunits throughout the Metazoa, suggest such findings may provide significant insight for pharmaceutical strategies to manipulate AMPK function in humans.
An active OODB system for genome physical map assembly

Abstract In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a scientific database for the map assembly tasks performed by the geneticists at the University of Michigan Human Genome Center. Our system manages complex genomic data and supports the automation of the associated map assembly tasks. For this purpose, we have developed an overlap refinement hierarchy characterizing the types of overlap and ordering relationships between DNA fragments. Based on this model, we designed an associated set of inference operators to automate some of the contig assembly steps, such as inferring overlap information using transitivity rules. In order to realize this map inferencing approach and to take advantage of the modeling power offered by object-oriented database technology, we have developed an active object-oriented database (OODB) system, called Crystal, on the GemStone OODB. Crystal seamlessly integrates rule inferencing with object modeling and other typical database capabilities, thus avoiding the overhead in moving data between systems for rule processing and data management, and eliminating data mismatch in these different representations. We also discuss the implementation of the physical map assembly (PMA) tool on top of Crystal, which includes the realization of the genome information model and the map assembly inferencing process. PMA executes inferencing automatically, without explicitly having to initiate rule execution, and thus can respond to the incremental addition of new experimental data. In conclusion, we provide a walk-through example and several experimental results that demonstrate how our approach can be used to support physical contig assembly.
Reorienting fiscal policy: a bottom-up Approach

The present article offers a fundamental critique of fiscal policy as it is understood in theory and exercised in practice. Two specific demand-side stabilization methods are examined here: conventional pump priming and the new designation of fiscal policy effectiveness found in the new consensus literature. A theoretical critique of their respective transmission mechanisms reveals that they operate in a trickle-down fashion that not only fails to secure and maintain full employment, but itself contributes to the increasing postwar labor market precariousness and the erosion of income equality. The two conventional demand-side measures are then contrasted with the proposed alternative—a bottom-up approach to fiscal policy based on a reinterpretation of Keynes's original policy prescriptions for full employment. The article offers theoretical, methodological, and policy rationale for government intervention that includes specific direct employment and investment initiatives, which are inherently different ...
Acoustic reflex thresholds at varying click rates in children.

Abstract Objective: Previous studies conducted with young adults have shown that ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds improve with an increase in the click-rate. Older adults also show an improvement in acoustic reflex thresholds with an increase in the click-rate. However, the click-rate induced facilitation (RIF) of acoustic reflex thresholds is significantly reduced in older adults. These results suggest that slower temporal processing in older adults can be documented by measuring the click-RIF of acoustic reflex thresholds. Thus, the click-RIF of acoustic reflex thresholds may prove to be a valuable tool for the assessment of temporal processing disorders in young children. However, click-RIF of ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds has not been studied in young normal children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and document the click-RIF in young normal children to provide normative data for this age-group. Methods: The study included a total of 30 participants (12 male and 18 female) with normal hearing between the ages of 6 and 10 years. Children with outer, middle ear, or neurological disorders were excluded from the study. Ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were determined in the left and right ears with clicks presented at the rate of 50 and 100 per s. The frequency of the probe tone was 226 Hz and intensity was 85 dB SPL. A statistical analysis using a three factor mixed MANOVA was planned to explore differences between ears, click rates and gender. Results: The MANOVA revealed a significant effect (P=0.0000) for the click-rate. There were no differences between ears or gender and no interactions. The mean click-RIF with an increase in the rate from 50 to 100 per s was 10.50 dB. Conclusion: Comparison of these results with previous results obtained from young adults suggests that young normal children show click-RIF that is similar to that apparent in young adults.
Holistic framework for establishing interoperability of heterogeneous software development tools and models

This research is an initial investigation into the development of the Holistic Framework for Software Engineering (HFSE), which establishes mechanisms by which existing software development tools and models can interoperate. The HFSE captures and uses dependency relationships among heterogeneous software development artifacts, the results of which can be used by software engineers to improve software processes and product integrity.
Laser capture microdissection–reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (LCM-RRBS) maps changes in DNA methylation associated with gonadectomy-induced adrenocortical neoplasia in the mouse

DNA methylation is a mechanism for long-term transcriptional regulation and is required for normal cellular differentiation. Failure to properly establish or maintain DNA methylation patterns leads to cell dysfunction and diseases such as cancer. Identifying DNA methylation signatures in complex tissues can be challenging owing to inaccurate cell enrichment methods and low DNA yields. We have developed a technique called laser capture microdissection-reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (LCM-RRBS) for the multiplexed interrogation of the DNA methylation status of cytosine-guanine dinucleotide islands and promoters. LCM-RRBS accurately and reproducibly profiles genome-wide methylation of DNA extracted from microdissected fresh frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. To demonstrate the utility of LCM-RRBS, we characterized changes in DNA methylation associated with gonadectomy-induced adrenocortical neoplasia in the mouse. Compared with adjacent normal tissue, the adrenocortical tumors showed reproducible gains and losses of DNA methylation at genes involved in cell differentiation and organ development. LCM-RRBS is a rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive technique for analyzing DNA methylation in heterogeneous tissues and will facilitate the investigation of DNA methylation in cancer and organ development.