cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation and use of a crisis hotline during the treatment as usual and universal screening phases of a suicide intervention study

Abstract Background Although research suggests that crisis hotlines are an effective means of mitigating suicide risk, lack of empirical evidence may limit the use of this method as a research safety protocol. Purpose This study describes the use of a crisis hotline to provide clinical backup for research assessments. Methods Data were analyzed from participants in the Emergency Department Safety and Follow-up Evaluation (ED-SAFE) study (n = 874). Socio-demographics, call completion data, and data available on suicide attempts occurring in relation to the crisis counseling call were analyzed. Pearson chi-squared statistic for differences in proportions were conducted to compare characteristics of patients receiving versus not receiving crisis counseling. P Results Overall, there were 163 counseling calls (6% of total assessment calls) from 135 (16%) of the enrolled subjects who were transferred to the crisis line because of suicide risk identified during the research assessment. For those transferred to the crisis line, the median age was 40 years (interquartile range 27–48) with 67% female, 80% white, and 11% Hispanic. Conclusions Increasing demand for suicide interventions in diverse healthcare settings warrants consideration of crisis hotlines as a safety protocol mechanism. Our findings provide background on how a crisis hotline was implemented as a safety measure, as well as the type of patients who may utilize this safety protocol.
Reconnecting with the Web: An Introduction to the Possibilities Available through Web Service APIs.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) give developers access to the content and services of most major web sites such as Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, Vimeo, Facebook and more. They offer a way for library sites and its content to maintain relevancy and allow ways for their content to be more easily found via SEO. APIs give developers the ability to both deliver content to and receive content from external web services. For example, uploading images and metadata to Flickr or pulling in images and metadata from Instagram to display on your library’s web site. Using APIs gives you the ability to get your library content into the digital places where people actually go to on the web. This article discusses what APIs are in a technical sense, how they are valuable to libraries and how the Miami University Libraries have utilized APIs to enhance outreach and communication.
Infrared spectroscopy of hydrated amino acids in the gas phase: protonated and lithiated valine.

We report here infrared spectra of protonated and lithiated valine with varying degrees of hydration in the gas phase and interpret them with the help of DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31++G** level. In both the protonated and lithiated species our results clearly indicate that the solvation process is driven first by solvation of the charge site and subsequently by formation of a second solvation shell. The infrared spectra of Val·Li+(H2O)4 and Val·H+(H2O)4 are strikingly similar in the region of the spectrum corresponding to hydrogen-bonded stretches of donor water molecules, suggesting that in both cases similar extended water structures are formed once the charge site is solvated. In the case of the lithiated species, our spectra are consistent with a conformation change of the amino acid backbone from syn to anti accompanied by a change in the lithium binding from a NO coordination to OO coordination configuration upon addition of the third water molecule. This change in the mode of metal ion bindin...
Segmented polyacetylene, (CHDy)x: Electrochemical n-doping studies

Abstract Defects involving sp 3 hybridized carbon atoms in the form of (HCD) units have been controllably introduced into trans -(CH) x by chemical methods to produce polymers of the type trans -(CHD y ) x , i.e. , [(CH) 1- y − (HCD) y ] x ( y = 0, 0.15 and 0.17), in order to study the nature of these defects and their effect on the electronic and magnetic properties of trans -(CH) x . The effects of these defects on the electrochemical reduction (n-doping) of trans -(CHD y ) x up to 4.0 mol % reduction levels have been studied. The results are consistent with optical and Raman spectra of trans -(CHD y ) x species and are interpreted as showing that: (i) the band gap in trans -(CHD y ) x is essentially unchanged from that in trans -(CH) x because of a small but significant amount of long conjugated sequences remaining in the deuterated polymer; (ii) the maximum density of states near the conduction band edge has moved upwards from the band edge; and (iii) the (HCD) defects are clustered rather than randomly spaced in a given (CHD y ) x chain.
Factors affecting the isolation and callus formation in protoplasts from the shoot apices of Pisum sativum L.

Abstract Protoplasts were isolated from shoot tips of 3-day-old seedlings of Pisum sativum L. var. Century by enzymatic degradation of the cell walls. The protoplasts originated from cells of the meristematic domes and parenchymatous tissues of 2- 3-mm tip sections using two consecutive steps of enzyme treatment in the presence of hexitols and calcium salts. Upon culturing, wall regeneration had occurred after 24 h, and cell division was observed within 3–5 days. Supplementing the culture medium with 2−5 mM l -glutamine, 5−10 μM kinetin, 1−5 μM dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.1−0.5 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) resulted in sustained cell division and callus formation in five weeks. Glucose at 0.3 M was superior to sorbitol and mannitol as osmotic stabilizers.
Cognitive abilities and left-handedness: An interaction between familial sinistrality and strength of handedness.

Abstract The present study demonstrates that there are substantial differences in cognitive ability between different subsets of left-handers. The verbal and mathematical Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores of 86 left-handed undergraduates were examined as a function of familial sinistrality, strength of left-handedness, and sex. The results revealed that there was an interaction between familial sinistrality and strength of handedness in terms of aptitude: for the weakly to moderately left-handed there was no relationship between familial sinistrality and performance, whereas for the strongly left-handed a positive history of familial sinistrality (FS+) was associated with significantly lower aptitude when compared with subjects without a history of familial sinistrality (FS−). In addition, the strongly left-handed FS− group was superior to the other three groups, particularly in verbal aptitude.
Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of horse myoglobin in dimethyl sulfoxide.

This paper reports the first report of rapid, reversible direct electron transfer between a redox protein, specifically, horse myoglobin, and a solid electrode substrate in nonaqueous media and the spectroscopic (UV-vis, fluorescence, and resonance Raman) characterization of the relevant redox forms of myoglobin (Mb) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In DMSO, the heme active site of metmyoglobin (metMb) appears to remain six-coordinate high-spin, binding water weakly. Changes in the UV-fluorescence spectra for metMb in DMSO indicate that the protein secondary structure has been perturbed and suggest that helix A has moved away from the heme. UV-vis and RR spectra for deoxyMb in DMSO suggest that the heme iron is six-coordinate low-spin, most likely coordinating DMSO. Addition of CO to deoxyMb in DMSO produces a single, photostable six-coordinate CO adduct. UV-vis and RR for Mb-CO in DMSO are consistent with a six-coordinate low-spin heme iron binding His93 weakly, if at all. The polarity of the distal heme pocket is comparable to that of the closed form of horse Mb-CO in aqueous solution, pH 7. Direct electron transfer between horse Mb and Au in DMSO solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Mb exhibits stable and well-defined electrochemical responses that do not appear to be affected by the water content (1.3–7.5%). The electrochemical characteristics are consistent with a one-electron, quasi-reversible, diffusion-controlled charge transfer process at Au. E° for horse Mb in DMSO at Au is –0.241±0.005 V vs. NHE. The formal heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant, calculated from ΔE p at 20 mV/s, is 1.7±0.5×10–4 cm/s. The rate, which is unaffected by the presence of 1.3–7.5% water, is competitive with that previously reported for horse Mb in aqueous solution.
Linear stability analysis of density-wave oscillations

Abstract Boiling in a steam generator, a water-cooled reactor or other multiphase processes can be subject to instabilities. The most prominent instabilities are density-wave oscillations. It is important to predict the conditions at which such oscillations occur in order to avoid the problems they may cause. The purpose of this study is to derive the stability limits for the dynamic response of a boiling channel to inlet velocity perturbations. Stability surfaces in three-dimensional parameter spaces are plotted and an algebraic stability criterion is used.
Excitatory amino acid receptors in the basolateral amygdala regulate anxiety responses in the social interaction test

Abstract Blocking GABA A receptors in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) elicits increases in heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and anxiety responses by enhancing a glutamate mediated excitation. The present study was conducted to determine the role of the ionotropic glutamate receptors within the BLA in regulating HR, BP and experimental anxiety. Blocking basal glutamate excitation had no significant effect on HR or BP, but did elicit a significant anxiolytic-like effect.
Withaferin A, a Cytotoxic Steroid from Vassobia breviflora, Induces Apoptosis in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

As part of a program to discover drug leads from plant biodiversity, the present investigation was undertaken to explore the anticancer potential of compounds derived from selected Latin American p...
Influence of Curricular Changes in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention on Residents' Behaviors over a Five-Year Period.

BACKGROUND: Residents' compliance with guidelines for health promotion and disease prevention (HPDP) often fall short of the ideal. METHOD: After a year in which faculty developed clinical practice HPDP guidelines, an intervention consisting of curricular changes and chart modifications was planned and pilot-tested in 1985-86 at an ambulatory care clinic of the Family Practice Residency Program, University of Louisville School of Medicine. Approximately 24 residents per year (eight at each level of training) worked in the clinic throughout the study years. The HPDP curriculum required residents to attend 48 one-hour conferences conducted over a three-year period. Four retrospective chart audits were used to measure residents' compliance with the HPDP guidelines during (1) the year before the pilot test (104 charts), (2) the pilot year (113 charts), (3) the year after the pilot test--the first year of full implementation (100 charts), and (4) five years after the pilot test (100 charts). Data from the chart audits were analyzed by using a permutation test for decreasing trend. RESULTS: Although there was an increase in the residents' compliance with the HPDP guidelines during the pilot year, the residents' HPDP activities tended to return to baseline levels in the following years, despite the ongoing curriculum. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that because the frequency of the residents' HPDP activities tended to return to baseline levels, clinical education alone is not enough to sustain residents' compliance with HPDP guidelines. Language: en
Exploring the effect of national cultures on organizational commitment of bicultural employees

Many organizations today operate globally and employ a significant number of bicultural employees. Consequently, it is extremely important to conduct research that furthers our understanding of bicultural employees in an organizational context. In addition, research that furthers our understanding of an employee attitude such as the organizational commitment of bicultural employees will have practical significance for organizations seeking to maximize employee commitment. This paper presents two profiles of biculturals based on predominant identification to individualist or collectivist national cultures and offers rationale to support the premise that organizational commitment will differ between collectivist and individualist biculturals. Exploring the national cultural dimensions of organizational commitment of bicultural employees as conceptualized in this paper provides human resource development (HRD) an excellent opportunity to research these two constructs that significantly impact organizational ...
Melatonin potentiates the anticonvulsant action of phenobarbital in neonatal rats

Phenobarbital is the most commonly utilized drug for neonatal seizures. However, questions regarding safety and efficacy of this drug make it particularly compelling to identify adjunct therapies that could boost therapeutic benefit. One potential adjunct therapy is melatonin. Melatonin is used clinically in neonatal and pediatric populations, and moreover, it exerts anticonvulsant actions in adult rats. However, it has not been previously evaluated for anticonvulsant effects in neonatal rats. Here, we tested the hypothesis that melatonin would exert anticonvulsant effects, either alone, or in combination with phenobarbital. Postnatal day (P)7 rats were treated with phenobarbital (0-40mg/kg) and/or melatonin (0-80mg/kg) prior to chemoconvulsant challenge with pentylenetetrazole (100mg/kg). We found that melatonin significantly potentiated the anticonvulsant efficacy of phenobarbital, but did not exert anticonvulsant effects on its own. These data provide additional evidence for the further examination of melatonin as an adjunct therapy in neonatal/pediatric epilepsy.
Long-term Suprapubic cystostomy drainage in spinal cord injury patients.

Summary— Thirty-one spinal cord injury (SCI) patients maintained on suprapubic cystostomy (SPC) for at least 5 years were evaluated by intravenous urography (IVU) and cystourethrography (CUG). Only patients who had had a normal IVU and no reflux before SPC were included in the study. The results showed that SPC maintained for more than 5 years causes as much renal damage as the intraurethral catheter retained for more than 20 years. In SCI patients, therefore, SPC should be used only temporarily after urethral, ureteric or bladder surgery.
Biological applications of spectral self-interference

An original technique, Spectral Self-Interference Fluorescence Microscopy (SSFM), can determine the location of fluorescent markers above a reflecting surface with sub-nanometer precision. SSFM was used to resolve the position of a fluorescent marker bound to either the top or the bottom leaflet of a lipid bilayer -- the difference in distance is only 4 nm. SSFM is a valuable tool in studying the conformation of DNA molecules immobilized on surfaces. A fluorescent label attached to a DNA molecule tethered to the surface can help elucidate its spatial orientation. This method is based on the fact that spontaneous emission of fluorophores located near a mirror is modified by the interference between direct and reflected waves, which leads to an oscillatory pattern in the emission spectrum. Spectral patterns of emission near surfaces can be precisely described with a classical model that considers the relative intensity and polarization state of direct and reflected waves depending on dipole orientation. An algorithm based on the emission model and polynomial fitting built into a software application can be used for fast and efficient analysis of self-interference spectra yielding information about the location of the emitters with very high precision.
Individual differences in sensitivity to interaural differences in time and level.

Summary.-Previous research had indicated the existence of two groupspeople more sensirive to interaural time differences than to interaural level (intensity) difference~ and people more sensitive to level difference~ than to time differences. A population of undergraduates was surveyed in an attempt to estimate the relative proportions of people in the two groups. Two characteristics possessed by previous Ss classified as time-sensitive or level-sensitive were used as the basis for classification of the present Ss. The psychophysical method was single-interval forced-choice, and Ss' cask was to lateralize an auditory image. Usable data were obtained from 73 our of 76 Ss. Of those that met the criterion for classification into one of the two groups, about 25% were more sensitive to rime differences than to level differences. We have recently published a series of papers (Jeffress & McFadden, 1971; McFadden, Jeffress, & Ermey, 1971; McFadden, Jeffress, & Lakey, 1972; McFadden & Sharpley, 1972) in which we observed marked variation across Ss in their relative sensitivities to the two binaural cues used in localizing sound sourcesinteraural time differences and interaural level (intensity) differences. Some Ss were very sensitive when the sole cue was a time difference, yet they were relatively insensitive when the sole cue was a level difference; other Ss were just the opposite. Since these differences in relative sensitivity were equally obvious for detection and lateralization tasks and since we were unable to reverse the differences even with considerable training on the "non-preferred cue, we were led to conclude that the observed individual differences were reflections of some fundamental differences in the auditory nervous systems of the two types of S. As yet we have no evidence that these individual differences are of any consequence in the everyday lives of our Ss, and we also have no information on whether the differences could be detected using auditory tasks other than our present ones. Nevertheless, we became curious about the relative proportions of time-sensitive and level-sensitive people in the population at large. To some extent this curiosity stemmed from the seeming uniqueness of the one timesensitive S encountered in our first experiment, but his singularity now seems to have been due in part to the vagaries of sampling, for time-sensitive Ss have been relatively common in our more recent experiments. Over the past four 'This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. William E. Russell was responsible for the collection of the data reported in this paper. We thank K. Gummerman for reading and criticizing preliminary drafts of this paper.
Biomedical Engineering Strategies in System Design Space

Modern systems biology and synthetic bioengineering face two major challenges in relating properties of the genetic components of a natural or engineered system to its integrated behavior. The first is the fundamental unsolved problem of relating the digital representation of the genotype to the analog representation of the parameters for the molecular components. For example, knowing the DNA sequence does not allow one to determine the kinetic parameters of an enzyme. The second is the fundamental unsolved problem of relating the parameters of the components and the environment to the phenotype of the global system. For example, knowing the parameters does not tell one how many qualitatively distinct phenotypes are in the organism’s repertoire or the relative fitness of the phenotypes in different environments. These also are challenges for biomedical engineers as they attempt to develop therapeutic strategies to treat pathology or to redirect normal cellular functions for biotechnological purposes. In this article, the second of these fundamental challenges will be addressed, and the notion of a “system design space” for relating the parameter space of components to the phenotype space of bioengineering systems will be focused upon. First, the concept of a system design space will be motivated by introducing one of its key components from an intuitive perspective. Second, a simple linear example will be used to illustrate a generic method for constructing the design space in which qualitatively distinct phenotypes can be identified and counted, their fitness analyzed and compared, and their tolerance to change measured. Third, two examples of nonlinear systems from different areas of biomedical engineering will be presented. Finally, after giving reference to a few other applications that have made use of the system design space approach to reveal important design principles, some concluding remarks concerning challenges and opportunities for further development will be made.
Investigation of reflection and transmission properties of dielectric slabs randomly doped with conducting objects

Using a finite-element method, the likelihood of producing useful frequency-dependent reflection/transmission characteristics of randomly doped dielectric slabs is investigated. The responses of short conducting wires randomly embedded throughout the slab and conducting triangular patches and wires limited to the dielectric surface are investigated using a computationally efficient algorithm. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 83–86, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21268
Younger women incur excess risk of uxoricide by stabbing and other hands-on killing methods

Abstract Uxoricide is the killing of a woman by her husband. Younger, reproductively valuable women, relative to older women, are at an increased risk of uxoride. The purpose of the current research is to investigate in a sample of over 17,000 uxoricides whether the percentage of uxoricides by stabbing and other hands-on killing methods varies as a function of the wife’s reproductive status (as indexed by her age) and the husband’s age. The results indicate that, relative to older, post-reproductive age women, reproductive age women are more likely to be killed by hands-on killing methods. Competing explanations for the findings are examined in the discussion.
Phase-directed therapy and cardiac xenograft survival

Xenotransplant rejection is facilitated not only by T cell upregulation but also by endothelial activation and B cell/antibody mechanisms, which standard immunosuppression is unable to overcome and xenorejection ensues. However, therapy directed specifically at each phase of xenorejection may improve xenograft survival. To study this we used a heterotopic cardiac xenotransplant mode (Syrian hamster to Lewis rat). Controls had no immunotherapy. Xenorecipients received cyclosporine to restrict T cellular response/development or cyclophosphamide, an antiproliferative, to reduce xenoreactive clones and antibody/complement injury, or anti-TNF antibody to alter cytokine cascades and endothelial activation/inflammation. Further xenorecipients received combinations. While single modalities alone did not enhance survival, combinations appeared to be at least additive in vivo, suggesting that therapy directed at specific phases of xenorejection may prove useful.
Childhood meningitis and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines

Effective vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in children are available. If overseas experience is any indication, the incidence of invasive Hib disease in infants and children will fall substantially over the next few years. In the absence of signs of raised intracranial pressure, lumbar puncture is generally indicated in children with suspected meningitis prior to therapy. Infants and children with suspected meningitis should be given dexamethasone preferably before or within twenty minutes of the first dose of antibiotics in order to prevent the sequelae of deafness and neurological damage. The treatment of choice for neonatal meningitis is ampicillin and cefotaxime, but the efficacy of dexamethasone in preventing long-term sequelae in neonates is not yet established. The treatment of choice in older infants and children is cefotaxime or ceftriaxone. Antibiotic therapy should be continued for seven days for uncomplicated meningococcal meningitis and 10 days for Hib and pneumococcus in infants and children, and for 14 to 21 days for neonatal meningitis. Chemoprophylaxis of selected contacts with rifampicin is recommended.
The Importance of Soil Water in the Recruitment of Bouteloua Gracilis in the Shortgrass Steppe

In the shortgrass steppe region of North America there is a controversy about the ability of the dominant species to recruit from seedlings. The prevailing view is that Bouteloua gracilis is incapable of recruitment from seedlings in areas receiving <380 mm of annual precipitation. A common explanation for this situation is that environmental conditions permitting seedling establishment are infrequent. To assess the frequency of environmental conditions appropriate for the recruitment of B. gracilis we used a soil water simulation model and long—term climatic data in conjunction with detailed information about the ecophysiological requirements for seed germination and growth of seminal and adventitious roots. We found that recruitment events occur as frequently as every 30—50 yr on silty clay, silty clay loam, and silty loam soils, but less than once in 5000 yr on sandy soils. Simulated frequencies of recruitment were sufficient to account for the observed abundance of B. gracilis in 7 of 11 soil textures...
Unified canonical forms for matrices over a differential ring

Abstract Linear differential equations with variable coefficients of the vector form (i) x = A (t) x and the scalar form (ii) y (n) +α n (t)y (n−1) +⋯+α 2 (t) y +α 1 (t)y=0 can be studied as operators on a differential module over a differential ring. Using this differential algebraic structure and a classical result on differential operator factorizations developed by Cauchy and Floquet, a new (variable) eigenvalue theory and an associated set of matrix canonical forms are developed in this paper for matrices over a differential ring. In particular, eight new spectral and modal matrix canonical forms are developed that include as special cases the classical companion, Jordan (diagonal), and (generalized) Vandermonde canonical forms, as traditionally used for matrices over a number ring (field). Therefore, these new matrix canonical forms can be viewed as unifications of these classical ones. Two additional canonical matrices that perform order reductions of a Cauchy-Floquet factorization of a linear differential operator are also introduced. General and explicit formulas for obtaining the new canonical forms are derived in terms of the new (variable) eigenvalues. The results obtained here have immediate applications in diverse engineering and scientific fields, such as physics, control systems, communications, and electrical networks, in which linear differential equations (i) and (ii) are used as mathematical models.
ATP receptor activation potentiates a voltage-dependent Ca channel in hippocampal neurons.

Abstract Activation of a purinergic P 2 receptor by adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) has previously been shown to open a non-selective cation channel with a reversal potential of approximately 0 mV. We examined the effects of P 2 receptor activation on voltage-gated ionic currents in acutely isolated CA3 pyramidal neurons from guinea pig hippocampus using the whole-cell-patch technique. Under conditions designed to isolate current through voltage-dependent Ca channels ( I Ca ), ATP (50 μ M) potentiated I Ca by 36%. This increase in I Ca desensitized back to control levels within 4 min. In contrast to the non-selective cation channel, I Ca elicited from a holding potential (HP) of −100 mV showed significant potentiation in response to ATP when depolarized to a test potential (TP) of −10 mV but showed no effect on I Ca when the same neuron was alternately depolarized to TP = −70 mV. No change in holding current at HP = −100 mV occurred. Tail currents were unaffected by ATP exposure suggesting that I Ca potentiation was not due to modulation of L-type Ca channels. This potentiation was also observed either with ATP-γ-s, the slowly hydrolyzable ATP analog, or with ATP in the presence of α,β -methylene-ADP, an ectonucleotidase inhibitor, indicating that the effects observed were not due to activation of an adenosine receptor that required ATP hydrolysis. The potentiation of I Ca was not observed with the P 2X agonist, β,γ -methylene-ATP. These results suggest that ATP receptors can modulate voltageas well as ligand-gated channels permeable to calcium and may play an important role in the dynamics of intracellular Ca 2+ in these neurons.
Sin Olvidar a los Padres: Families Collaborating Within School and University Partnerships

This article describes the significance of 3 entities—the family, the school, and the university—working together to assist young Latino children succeed in school. In an effort to increase parental and teacher communication regarding school expectations, the Family Institute for Early Literacy Development was created. It uses principles of funds of knowledge as well as the ecological systems theory. Findings indicate that this type of collaboration promotes positive interactions and helps to decrease teacher candidates' and teachers' deficit-thinking beliefs regarding parental involvement in children's education.
Theory and operation of 2-D array piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers

Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (pMUTs) are a new approach for the construction of 2-D arrays for forward-looking 3-D intravascular (IVUS) and intracardiac (ICE) imaging. Two-dimensional pMUT test arrays containing 25 elements (5 times 5 arrays) were bulk micromachined in silicon substrates. The devices consisted of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin film membranes formed by deep reactive ion etching of the silicon substrate. Element widths ranged from 50 to 200 mum with pitch from 100 to 300 mum. Acoustic transmit properties were measured in de-ionized water with a calibrated hydrophone placed at a range of 20 mm. Measured transmit frequencies for the pMUT elements ranged from 4 to 13 MHz, and mode of vibration differed for the various element sizes. Element capacitance varied from 30 to over 400 pF depending on element size and PZT thickness. Smaller element sizes generally produced higher acoustic transmit output as well as higher frequency than larger elements. Thicker PZT layers also produced higher transmit output per unit electric field applied. Due to flexure mode operation above the PZT coercive voltage, transmit output increased nonlinearly with increased drive voltage. The pMUT arrays were attached directly to the Duke University T5 phased array scanner to produce real-time pulse-echo B-mode images with the 2-D pMUT arrays.
When What You KnowCanHurt You: A Study of Experiential Effects on Group Discussion and Performance☆☆☆

Abstract This study compares several mechanisms that might affect the tendency of groups to focus on common rather than uniquely held information. It uses this framework to investigate how this discussion bias and, ultimately, task performance might change as groups initially gain experience with the team and/or task. Groups with both task and team experience were found to display alargerbias toward discussing common information and achievelowertask performance than groups with only task experience, only team experience, or neither task nor team experience. Increases in the discussion bias were also found tolowertask scores. Finally, even when all items of information (both common and unique) were mentioned (and regardless of the experience gained), delays in mentioning the first unique item of information were found to significantlylowerperformance.
Unusual molecular conformations in fluorinated, contorted hexabenzocoronenes.

Fluorinated, contorted hexabenzocoronenes (HBCs) have been synthesized in a facile manner via Suzuki−Miyaura coupling of fluorinated phenyl boronic acids followed by photocyclization and Scholl cyclization. In addition to the molecular conformation observed in previous HBC derivatives, close-contact fluorine−fluorine intramolecular interactions result in a metastable conformation not previously observed. Heating the metastable HBCs above 100 °C irreversibly converts them to the stable conformation, suggesting that the metastable conformation arises from a kinetically arrested state during cyclization.
Manufacturability and reliability on 10-Gb/s transponder for ethernet-based applications

In this paper, manufacturing issues include Optical Sub-Assembly (OSA), Electrical Sub-Assembly (ESA) and reliability considerations of 10 Gb/s Ethernet transponder were studied by using experiments and implementation. In the growing optical communication industry, one of the star products is the Z-axis pluggable optical transceiver module. Under the broad usage of Ethernet means high port density, low cost, high utilities, compact size and still require excellent performance. After standardizing of 10 Gb/s ethernet (IEEE 802.3ae), many transceiver companies, silicon vendors and system vendors reached the agreement and signed up diversity of MSA (Multi-Source Agreement). These MSAs still keep modifying with system demands, customer requirements, cost and performance issue. This paper presents how to achieve these functions description in the MSA and own a highly manufacturability and reliability module design. According to composed block of transponder, we split it into OSA, ESA, mechanical design and related reliability experimental result. In the OSA, traditional TO-CAN package and optical components be introduced. Because the mature manufacture experience, vendor can easy to meet low cost and manufacturability requirements and only need to slightly modifications. A simply solution be implemented to solve this problem and discuss the critical point of the design. Thermal issue on OSA will also be mentioned because of the sensitive of light source and how to calculate the effect to find effective solutions. By the way, some manufacturability criteria will be discussed for OSA characteristics in 10 Gb/s applications. In the ESA, PMD (Physical media dependant) driving methods, Multi-Source Agreement related digital optical monitor function implement and performance comparison will be presented. On the other hand, we will examine the crosstalk effect between transmitter and receiver circuit and impact to the module Optical to Electrical convert interface design. We still need to take well-assembly between OSA and ESA into consideration. Perfect assembly will lead us to earn wonderful reliability and manufacturability. In the mechanical design, many reliability and maufacturability issue need to consider such as thermal, EMI, temperature, humidity effect etc. So, module mechanical design must be highly collocation with ESA, OSA, heat spreader and special EMI shielding design. Experimental data and thermal simulation result are also prepared to guide us forward to a successful product.
Kinetics of biopolymerization on nucleic acid templates.

The kinetics of biopolymerization on nucleic acid templates is discussed. The model introduced allows for the simultaneous synthesis of several chains, of a given type, on a common template, e.g., the polyribosome situation. Each growth center [growing chain end plus enzyme(s)] moves one template site at a time, but blocks L adjacent sites. Solutions are found for the probability nj(t) that a template has a growing center that occupies the sites j — L + 1,…, j at time t. Two special sets of solutions are considered, the uniform-density solutions, for which nj(t) = n, and the more general steady-state solutions, for which dnj(t)/dt = 0. In the uniform-density case, there is an upper bound to the range of rates of polymerization that can occur. Corresponding to this maximum rate, there is one uniform solution. For a polymerization rate less than this maximum, there are two uniform solutions that give the same rate. In the steady-state case, only L = 1 is discussed. For a steady-state polymerization rate less than the maximum uniform-density rate, the steady-state solutions consist of either one or two regions of nearly uniform density, with the density value(s) assumed in the uniform region(s) being either or both of the uniform-density solutions corresponding to that polymerization rate. For a steady-state polymerization rate equal to or slightly larger than the maximum uniform-density rate, the steady-state solutions are nearly uniform to the single uniform-density solution for the maximum rate. The boundary conditions (rate of initiation and rate, of release of completed chains from the template) govern the choice among the possible solutions, i.e., determine the region(s) of uniformity and the value(s) assumed in the uniform region(s).
Evaluation of Hydrogenated Soybean Oil in Feeds for Hybrid Striped Bass Fed in Conjunction with Finishing Periods of Different Durations

AbstractWe evaluated the production performance and tissue composition of hybrid striped bass, i.e., sunshine bass (female White Bass Morone chrysops × male Striped Bass M. saxatilis (initial weight = 110.6 g) raised to a marketable size (final weight = 575 g) on grow-out feeds containing graded levels of fish oil and hydrogenated soybean oil (100% fish oil, 50% fish oil and 50% soybean oil, 25% fish oil and 75% soybean oil, or 100% soybean oil) in conjunction with finishing periods of different durations (4, 8, or 12 weeks of feeding the 100% fish oil feed prior to harvest). Production performance varied significantly among the feeding regimens, but none of the experimental groups were significantly different from the 100% fish oil control group. However, performance tended to follow fish oil consumption, with regimens providing more fish oil during grow-out yielding marginally superior growth and growth efficiency. Fillet fatty acid profiles varied considerably among the regimens prior to finishing. Fil...
Does PPP hold in the transition economies? The case of poland Hungary

This paper uses non-stationarity and cointegration of time series to investigate the validity of long-run purchasing power parity for Poland and Hungary for the period 1981:1-1993:2. Long-run PPP is examined vis-a-vis three countries, the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. Although the nominal exchange rates and relative price ratios between Poland and Hungary and each of the three countries are non-stationaary, they are not cointegrated indicating a rejection of the hypothesis. This conclusion is supported by the real exchange rate, which follows a random walk.
PROTEIN TURNOVER AND HETEROCYST DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CYANOBACTERIUM ANABAENA VARIABILIS1

Under conditions of starvation for fixed nitrogen, cells of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis Kutz, degrade much of their protein prior to heterocyst differentiation. Cells starved for a source of fixed nitrogen initially degraded about 2% of their protein per hour; by 24 h after nitrogen stepdown about 40% of the protein was degraded. Most of the acid-soluble radiolabeled material was excreted into the medium. Proteolysis was completely inhibited by chloramphenicol, by cyanide, or in the dark, hut was only partially inhibited in the presence of dichlorophenyl dimethylurea. Methionine sulfoximine (MSX) (an inhibitor of glutamine synthetase) in the presence of ammonia caused heterocysts to form. MSX treated cells degraded protein; however, the amount of protein degraded was much less than in cells starved for ammonia. Glutamine, which can serve as a nitrogen source for this strain, did not prevent starvation-induced proteolysis and did not prevent the differentiation of heterocysts.
Varietal resistance in rice to the crab, Sesarma huzardi , in Sierra Leone

A new technique of mass-screening rice seedlings for resistance to the crab, Sesarma huzardi, developed by the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) at Rokupr is described.
Generation of hazard-consistent fragility curves

Abstract This paper presents an analytical method for generating fragility curves of structures. In the proposed method, seismic sources, path attenuation, local soil conditions, and nonlinear building behavior are systematically considered. The uncertainties in the earthquake-site-structure system are quantified by considering the uncertainties in the seismic, site, and structural parameters that define the system. For an illustration, the proposed method is used to generate fragility curves and a damge probability matrix for Smith Hall on the main campus of The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee.
Hydroxylation of 10-deoxoartemisinin by Cunninghamella elegans.

The microbial metabolism of 10-deoxoartemisinin (1), a derivative of the antimalarial drug artemisinin, was investigated. Various strains of fungi were investigated for their ability to transform 1. Of these microorganisms, only Cunninghamella elegans was capable of transforming 1 to 5β-hydroxy-10-deoxoartemisinin (2), 4α-hydroxy-1,10-deoxoartemisinin (3), and 7β-hydroxy-10-deoxoartemisinin (4). The metabolites 2 and 4 retained an intact peroxide group and are therefore useful scaffolds for synthetic modification in the search for new antimalarial agents.
Complications and Treatment During Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Complications after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction presenting during rehabilitation can pose a significant challenge for the physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, and patient. Among these complications are arthrofibrosis (loss of range of motion), quadriceps weakness, anterior knee pain, and gait impairments. There are desired objective goals for each variable throughout the rehabilitation program. These goals usually are attained through prudent procedures incorporated into the rehabilitation program for the specific purpose of preventing complication. These complications may present independently, although commonly they present together and each will affect the other in a cyclic manner. Therefore, should complications inevitably develop, modifications to the rehabilitation program must immediately ensue. Thus, reassessment by the physical therapist during rehabilitation must be ongoing and comprehensive in effort to identify all sources of impairment as soon as they begin to develop. At which time immediate treatment modifications addressing all areas of impairment must be implemented to ensure the best possible outcome and prevent the need for additional surgical intervention.
Low-Input/Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education—Challenges to the Agricultural Economics Profession

Over the past decade, a number of different terms have been used to describe agricultural technologies that seek to substitute management and scientific knowledge for synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers-terms such as organic, regenerative, alternative, sustainable, and reduced-input have become widely used in various contexts (Wagstaff; Lowrance, Hendrix, and Odum). The term "sustainable" is used in California and other states to describe their new research and education programs. The term low-input has become the latest entry in the vocabulary of agricultural technology because this term is used in the FY 1988 federal appropriations legislation. Low-input/sustainable agriculture encompasses a wide array of approaches to farming that reduce the farmer's dependence on certain kinds of purchased inputs in ways that increase profits, reduce environmental hazards, and ensure a more sustainable agriculture for generations to come. Low-input farming methods range from release of exotic natural enemies to rather commonplace methods such as controlling weeds by mechanical cultivation and crop rotations. Also included in this category are various integrated pest management strategies such as biological control of pests through enhancement of natural enemies, use of legume crops in place of some purchased fertilizers, and application of livestock manures and compost. A low-input/sustainable farming system is a combination and sequence of low-input farming methods or technologies integrated into a whole-farm managerial plan. While many of the concepts underlying low-input farming methods have been known for decades or even centuries, the essence of this approach is not a reversion to the technologies of previous decades or centuries but a combination of the best of modern agricultural science and technology with the practical experience of farmers who are profitably substituting management for most or all of their purchased inputs of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertiliz-
Human Cytomegalovirus Infection of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Primitive Neural Stem Cells is Restricted at Several Steps but Leads to the Persistence of Viral DNA

ABSTRACT Congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a major cause of central nervous system structural anomalies and sensory impairments. It is likely that the stage of fetal development, as well as the state of differentiation of susceptible cells at the time of infection, affects the severity of the disease. We used human embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived primitive prerosette neural stem cells (pNSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) maintained in chemically defined conditions to study HCMV replication in cells at the early stages of neural development. In contrast to what was observed previously using fetus-derived NPCs, infection of ES cell-derived pNSCs with HCMV was nonprogressive. At a low multiplicity of infection, we observed only a small percentage of cells expressing immediate-early genes (IE) and early genes. IE expression was found to be restricted to cells negative for the anterior marker FORSE-1, and treatment of pNSCs with retinoic acid restored IE expression. Differentiation of pNSCs into NPCs restored IE expression but not the transactivation of early genes. Virions produced in NPCs and pNSCs were exclusively cell associated and were mostly non-neural tropic. Finally, we found that viral genomes could persist in pNSC cultures for up to a month after infection despite the absence of detectable IE expression by immunofluorescence, and infectious virus could be produced upon differentiation of pNSCs to neurons. In conclusion, our results highlight the complex array of hurdles that HCMV must overcome in order to infect primitive neural stem cells and suggest that these cells might act as a reservoir for the virus. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a betaherpesvirus that is highly prevalent in the population. HCMV infection is usually asymptomatic but can lead to severe consequences in immunosuppressed individuals. HCMV is also the most important infectious cause of congenital developmental birth defects. Manifestations of fetal HCMV disease range from deafness and learning disabilities to more severe symptoms such as microcephaly. In this study, we have used embryonic stem cells to generate primitive neural stem cells and have used these to model HCMV infection of the fetal central nervous system (CNS) in vitro . Our results reveal that these cells, which are similar to those present in the developing neural tube, do not support viral replication but instead likely constitute a viral reservoir. Future work will define the effect of viral persistence on cellular functions as well as the exogenous signals leading to the reactivation of viral replication in the CNS.