cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unique Constant Phase Element Behavior of the Electrolyte-Graphene Interface.

We report a unique constant phase element (CPE) behavior ( 1 Z = Q 0 ( j ω ) α ) of the electrolyte–graphene interface with both Q 0 and α showing dependence on the gate voltage. The frequency response of the electrolyte–graphene interface was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The result suggests that (1) the electrolyte–graphene interface should be characterized as a CPE ( α < 1), rather than an ideal capacitor; and (2) both Q 0 and α show ambipolar dependence on the applied voltage. We speculate that the CPE behavior of the electrolyte–graphene interface arises from the charged impurities on the substrate and the defects in the graphene lattice, which could introduce inhomogeneity of local density of states (DOS). The low density of states of graphene makes α sensitive to these local DOS near the Dirac point, and thus showing dependence on the gate voltage. Measurement of the electrolyte–graphene interface capacitance based on multi-frequency capacitance-voltage (CV) profiling was demonstrated, and the extraction of the carrier mobility was performed. The study could lead to a more accurate understanding of the capacitive behavior of the electrolyte–graphene interface, which is instructive for the design and analysis of devices involving the electrolyte–graphene interface for nanoelectronics and bioelectronics applications.
MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach: Does It Affect Reading Fluency in Elementary School?.

Important strides have been made in the science of learning to read. Yet, many students still struggle to attain reading proficiency. This calls for sustained efforts to bridge theoretical insights with applied considerations about ideal pedagogy. The current study was designed to contribute to this conversation, namely by looking at the efficacy of an online reading program. The chosen reading program, referred to as MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach (MVRC), emphasizes the mastery of basic reading skills to support the development of reading fluency. Its focus on basic skills diverges from the goal of increasing reading motivation. And its focus on reading fluency, versus broad literacy achievement, offers an alternative to already existing reading enrichment. In order to test the efficacy of MVRC, we recruited three school districts. One district provided data from elementary schools that used the MVRC program in Grades 2 to 6 (N = 2,531 total). The other two districts participated in a quasi-experimental design: Six 2nd-grade classrooms and nine 4th-grade classrooms were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) instruction as usual, (2) instruction with an alternative online reading program, and (3) instruction with MVRC. Complete data sets were available from 142 2nd-graders and 172 4th-graders. Three assessments from the MVRC screener were used: They assessed reading fluency, phonic skills, and listening vocabulary at two time points: before and after the intervention. Results show a clear advantage of MVRC on reading fluency, more so than on phonics or listening vocabulary. At the same time, teachers reported concerns with MVRC, highlighting the challenge with reading programs that emphasize basic-skills mastery over programs that seek to encourage reading.
The relevant geographic market area for fed cattle and the changing structure of the beef packing industry

The structure of the beef industry has changed dramatically in this century. This phenomenon has given rise to much controversy concerning the competitiveness of the industry in both the economics literature and the courts;One of the key issues in industry organization and antitrust issues is the definition of product and geographic markets. This dissertation attempts three statistical procedures to define markets, each with increasing demands for market information. A fourth procedure is also outlined;Finally, a study of the beef packing industry is conducted within the structure-conduct-performance paradigm, given previously defined product and geographic markets. It was concluded that, although there is presently no evidence of undue monopoly power, the industry may be able to exploit their sizeable market share if they if certain technologies are forthcoming. For example, if beef packers begin to develop branded products for retail, they may be able to influence price at the retail level.
Reversible addition of ethylene to a pincer-based boryl-iridium unit with the formation of a bridging ethylidene

This report examines reactions of a series of Ir complexes supported by the diarylboryl/bis(phosphine) PBP pincer ligand with ethylene: (PBP)IrH4 (1), (PBP)IrH2(CO) (2), and (PBP)Ir(CO)2 (3). The outcomes of these reactions differ from those typical for Ir complexes supported by other pincer ligands and do not give rise to simple ethylene adducts or products of insertion of Ir into the C-H bond of ethylene. Instead, the elements of ethylene are incorporated into the molecules to result in B-C bonds. In the case of 2 and 3, ethylene addition results in the formation of B/Ir bridging ethylidene complexes 5 and 6. For 6, the addition of ethylene (and the analogous addition of 1-hexene) is shown to be partially reversible. Addition of ethylene to 2 and 3 is remarkable because they are saturated at Ir and yet the net outcome is such that ethylene binds without replacing any ligands already present. A mechanistic inquiry suggests that dissociation of CO from 3 or 6 is necessary in order for the addition or loss of ethylene to proceed.
Revealing multisensory benefit with diffusion modeling

Abstract Multisensory information can benefit perceptual, memory, and decision-making processes. These benefits commonly manifest in superior detection and discrimination of multisensory stimuli, as well as improved perception and subsequent memory of unisensory representation of an object previously encoded in a multisensory context. However, the vast majority of studies to date analyze accuracy, sensitivity and/or reaction time data independently to compare multisensory and unisensory conditions. Considering the well-established speed-accuracy trade-off, we asked whether some multisensory benefits go unnoticed when measured using traditional methods that do not take both reaction time and accuracy into account simultaneously, and whether an approach combining them can more reliably characterize and quantify the broad extent of multisensory interactions across perception and cognition. While drift diffusion models have been previously shown to be effective in addressing the speed-accuracy trade-off and providing a reliable and accurate measure of multisensory benefits, one impediment of this approach is the requirement of a large number of trials to estimate model parameters and to characterize effects. This may be prohibitive in many experimental paradigms. Several model variants attempt to reduce the required number of trials, either by averaging across participants or limiting the search space for the parameters. Here, we employed a hierarchical drift diffusion model, that utilizes Bayesian priors, allowing parameter estimation with smaller sample sizes while still making subject-specific parameter estimates. We analyzed data in perceptual detection and discrimination tasks across multiple sensory combinations, to investigate if the diffusion model would provide a sensitive and reliable measure of multisensory benefits. Results indicate that across visual, auditory and tactile modality combinations, the diffusion model was either as or more sensitive than traditional accuracy, sensitivity, or reaction time measures, and was the only measure that consistently detected multisensory benefits in a statistically significant fashion. We recommend the use of diffusion modeling approaches when assessing the outcomes of multisensory experiments, especially as they become more computationally efficient.
Noticing Motion Patterns: A Temporal CNN With a Novel Convolution Operator for Human Trajectory Prediction

As more and more robots are envisioned to cooperate with humans sharing the same space, it is desired for robots to be able to predict others’ trajectories to navigate in a safe and self-explanatory way. In this letter, we propose a Convolutional Neural Network-based approach to learn, detect, and extract patterns in sequential trajectory data, known here as Social Pattern Extraction Convolution (Social-PEC). A set of experiments carried out on the human trajectory prediction problem shows that our model performs comparably to the state of the art and outperforms in some cases. More importantly, the proposed approach unveils the obscurity in the previous use of a pooling layer, presenting a way to intuitively explain the decision-making process.
Factors associated with barriers to engagement in HIV-prevention care among sexual minority men

Engagement with HIV-prevention services varies among sexual minority men (SMM). 183 HIV-negative SMM completed a baseline assessment including sociodemographic, psychosocial, identity and stigma, and sexuality measures, as well as HIV-prevention behaviors: (1) date of most recent HIV test, (2) whether they discussed HIV or (3) sexual behavior with their provider, and (4) disclosure to provider about engaging in condomless anal sex (CAS). Factor analysis of these four items yielded an HIV-prevention engagement factor score. Stochastic search variable selection (SSVS) followed by multiple linear regression identified variables associated with HIV-prevention engagement. SSVS identified three variables for inclusion in a multiple linear regression model. Not disclosing sexual orientation to one’s provider (p < 0.001), discomfort discussing sex with provider (p < 0.001) and lower education (p = 0.007) were associated with less HIV-prevention engagement. Findings suggest the importance of training providers in culturally competent care to mitigate observed barriers.
Niche partitioning and coexistence of parasitoids of the same feeding guild introduced for biological control of an invasive forest pest

Abstract When multiple species of host-specific natural enemies from the same feeding guild are introduced to areas against a target pest, strong interspecific competition is likely and may compromise biocontrol unless the agents effectively partition available resources. Here, we evaluate if two parasitoids (Spathius galinae and Tetrastichus planipennisi), introduced for biocontrol of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, into North America have established niche-partitioning, co-existing populations following their sequential or simultaneous field releases to 12 hard-wood forests located in Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States. We found the two recently introduced EAB larval parasitoids, S. galinae and T. planipennisi, established niche-partitioning, co-existing populations in all release areas. Presence, abundance, and/or host attack (parasitism) rates of the two parasitoid species differed significantly among ash tree-size classes, with S. galinae parasitism more abundant in larger diameter and pole-size trees, while T. planipennisi dominated in saplings. We also found the abundance of EAB larvae declined significantly with height in both ash saplings and pole-size trees, whereas the abundance of S. galinae and T. planipennisi broods was unaffected. However, the abundance of both larval parasitoid species was strongly and positively correlated with EAB larval abundance in sampled sections of their preferred tree-size classes. Our findings suggest that the two introduced specialist parasitoids, S. galinae and T. planipennisi, complement one another in protecting trees of different size classes against EAB.
Mixed HPV-related Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and HPV-related Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Base of Tongue in a Patient With Incidental Identification of Synchronous Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background While it is not uncommon in patients with head and neck cancer to present with multiple metachronous primary neoplasms, rarely do these present as a singular mass composed of intertwined, histologically distinct malignant tumors. Sometimes referred to as collision tumors, these entities are poorly understood and only appear in a handful of case studies in the literature. Case report Here we present a 58-year-old male diagnosed with a human papillomavirus-related collision tumor consisting of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, as well as an incidentally discovered metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma, despite an unremarkable thyroid gland. The patient underwent transoral robotic base-of-tongue resection and partial pharyngectomy with selective neck dissection followed by chemoradiotherapy. At the 18-month follow-up the patient was doing well. His thyroid was normal and no recurrent or metastatic carcinoma was identified on the computed tomography and positron-emission tomography/computed tomography imaging findings. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case in English literature. This case demonstrates the importance of tumor morphology and immunohistochemical testing in HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinomas, despite the overall good prognosis of such tumors, due to the possibility of synchronous or colliding primary neoplasms.
On-device Malware Detection using Performance-Aware and Robust Collaborative Learning

The proliferation of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices has facilitated smart connectivity and enhanced computational capabilities. Lack of proper security protocols in such devices makes them vulnerable to cyber threats, especially malware attacks. Given the diversity and sophistication in malware samples, detecting them using traditional vendor database-based signature matching techniques is inefficient. This paper presents a collaborative machine learning (ML)-based malware detection framework. We introduce a) performance-aware precision-scaled federated learning (FL) to minimize the communication overheads with minimal device-level computations; and (2) a Robust and Active Protection with Intelligent Defense strategy against malicious activity (RAPID) at the device and network-level due to malware and other cyber-attacks. Deploying FL facilitates detecting malware attacks through collaborative learning and prevents data sharing, thus ensuring data security and privacy. RAPID denies the illegitimate user and aids in developing an effective collaborative malware detection model. A comprehensive analysis, results, and performance of the proposed technique are presented along with the communication overheads. An average accuracy of 94% is obtained with the proposed technique with 15% communication overhead, indicating 19% better performance than state-of-the-art techniques. Furthermore, the minimum accuracy drop of a model trained using RAPID is only 3% when 10% of devices are adversarial and 16% even when 40% of devices are adversarial.
Children with Handicapped Brothers and Sisters

Helping children get along with their brothers and sisters has always been a major concern for parents. The importance that mothers and fathers place on sibling relationships is evident in the literature that instructs parents on how to understand and to change their children’s behavior toward and feelings for one another. Writings on sibling relationships, for instance, offer descriptions about how parents can prepare older children for the arrival of a new brother or sister and about how they can cope with the jealousy and rivalry that will (inevitably, it seems) appear at some point in their children’s lives (e.g., Calladine and Calladine, 1979; Ginott, 1965; Levy, 1934, 1937; Sewall, 1930; Spock, 1973). Parents seem to be particularly concerned about finding ways of minimizing physical aggression and arguments (overt conflicts) between their children and about providing their children with fair and equal treatment so as to reduce the possibility of jealousy and anger (internal conflict) between brothers and sisters. When one child in the family is handicapped, parents may experience these as well as other worries about their children’s relationships with one another.
Educational needs in the changing field of operational oceanography: training the people that will sustain Munk's 1+1 = 3 scenario

The Rutgers University Graduate Program in Oceanography (GPO) has initiated a new Masters Degree in Oceanographic Technologies. Within the collaborative setting of the Rutgers University (R.U.) Coastal Ocean Observation Lab's (COOL) Operations Center, students will receive hands-on training in the use of advanced ocean observing technologies and will participate in the year-round field activities supported by the Center. Potential Masters, theses topics include improvements to the capabilities of sensors and sampling platforms, and the analysis of the observatory datasets for a wide spectrum of applications. The program was designed with input from a pair of AMS Interactive Workshops on Operational Oceanography, and with input from people working in Navy and NOAA operational centers. Graduates will directly support the sustained technology needs of the Integrated Ocean Observing System and the Ocean Observation Initiative.
Rapid and accurate generation of peptide sequence tags with a graph search approach

Protein peptide identification from a tandem mass spectrum (MS/MS) is a challenging task. Previous approaches for peptide identification with database search are time consuming due to huge search space. De novo sequencing approaches which derive a peptide sequence directly from a MS/MS spectrum usually are of high complexities and the accuracies of the approaches highly depend on the quality of the spectra. In this paper, we developed an accurate and efficient algorithm for peptide identification. Our work consisted of the following steps. Firstly, we found a pair of complementary mass peaks that are b-ion and y-ion, respectively. We then used the two mass peaks as two tree nodes and extend the trees such that in the end the nodes of the trees are elements of a b-ion set and a yion set, respectively. Secondly, we applied breadth first search to the trees to generate peptide sequence tags. Finally, we designed a weight function to evaluate the reliabilities of the tags and rank the tags. Our experiment on 2620 experimental MS/MS spectra with one PTM showed that our algorithm achieved better accuracy than other approaches with higher efficiency.
A OFICINA PEDAGÓGICA NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL COMO ESTRATÉGIA DE ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM PARA CONSERVAÇÃO DO SOLO E DA ÁGUA

O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial da oficina pedagogica, realizada com alunos da terceira serie de uma escola publica de ensino fundamental, em Alegre, ES, Brasil, como uma estrategia para facilitar o processo de ensino-apredizagem relacionado com a conservacao dos recursos naturais, o solo e a agua. A metodologia utilizada foi qualitativa e as atividades realizadas foram: visita aos setores de producao agricola do Instituto Federal de Educacao, Ciencia e Tecnologia do Espirito Santo – Campus de Alegre; construcao e manutencao de uma horta escolar; confeccao de gibis; construcao de terrarios; montagem e realizacao de uma peca teatral. Os resultados mostraram que as praticas didaticas-pedagogicas utilizadas nas oficinas promoveram acoes de satisfacao, reflexao, sensibilizacao e conscientizacao a respeito da importância vital que e a preservacao dos recursos naturais.
Genetic analysis of T4 tail fiber assembly: I. A gene 37 mutation that allows bypass of gene 38 function

Abstract T4 gene 38 function normally is required for assembly of the distal half of the phage tail fiber. From a double mutant with two amber mutations in gene 38, temperature-sensitive revertants have been isolated that produce plaques at 25° on host bacteria nonpermissive for amber mutants but do not produce plaques on any host at 42°. One such revertant, ts3813 , has been shown to retain the two original amber mutations, and to produce none of the polypeptide coded by gene 38 ( gp 38) in nonpermissive host cells. In these cells at 25°, however, ts3813 produces levels of progeny phage and distal half fiber antigens that are 20–40% of those produced in wild-type phage infection, indicating that ts3813 allows a partial bypass of the normal gene 38 requirement. The site of the bypass mutation is near the promoter-distal end of gene 37, which codes for the major structural polypeptide of the distal half fiber, gp 37. The properties of ts3813 suggest the possibility that gene 38 product may catalyze the noncovalent dimerization of two gp 37 molecules to form the precursor of the distal half fiber.
Payday Loans, Uncertainty, and Discounting: Explaining Patterns of Borrowing, Repayment, and Default

Ten million American households borrowed on payday loans in 2002. Typically, to receive two weeks of liquidity from these loans households paid annualized (compounded) interest rates over 7000%. Using an administrative dataset from a payday lender, we seek to explain demand-side behavior in the payday loan market. We estimate a structural dynamic programming model that includes standard features like liquidity constraints and stochastic income, and we also incorporate institutionally realistic payday loans, default opportunities, and generalizations of the discount function. Method of Simulated Moments estimates of the key parameters are identi…ed by two novel pieces of evidence. First, over half of payday borrowers default on a payday loan within one year of their …rst loans. Second, defaulting borrowers have on average already repaid or serviced …ve payday loans, making interest payments of 90% of their original loan’s principal. Such costly delay of default, we …nd, is most consistent with partially naive quasihyperbolic discounting, and we statistically reject nested benchmark alternatives.
Send in the Clowns, They're Already Here

Explicit through the interlocking sinews of David Lehman's new biographi cal/theoretical homage, The Last Avant-Garde: The Making of the New York School of Poets, the practiced muscular definition of all potent avant-garde movement is repeatedly flexed: newness over novelty, originality over mime sis, change over stasis, and combativeness over docility. Like a knot of inge nious circus clowns locking the gaze of spectacle-hungry crowds, the avant garde must always augment definition with showmanship, keep politics from tripping aesthetic stilts, stop compact cars from blurring each harlequin into the larger, comic mass, and perhaps most tellingly, juggle a plentitude of unevenly weighted objects in the air, ostentatiously manipulating the forces of resistance. Eventually, the next act will charge the spotlight with equally fantastic flourishes?frenzied lions intent on the kill, trapeze artists whirling in the thick air, motorcycle daredevils revving across tightropes?and the no longer provocative avant-garde will be forced to drop its metaphoric balls. According to Lehman, the New York School avant-garde, a loose con tinuum of even more loosely associated poets, mingling in weaves of loose, mutual appreciation societies with Abstract Expressionist painters (Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Fairfield Porter, Jane Freilicher, Larry Rivers, et al. .. .), lets loose its meta-linguistic loop-de-loops and anti-establishment ara besques through the antics of four very different performer-poets. Biographi cal vignettes of the New York School principals?Frank O'Hara, John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch, and James Schuyler?characterize The Last Avant-Garde like four different gem-cuts decorating the same stone. Through a prolonged meditation on the viability of a retrospective avant-garde appraisal for the New York School, Lehman entices the reader with a plan for assembling facets, a glimpse at microscopic patterns, and a call to enter the poetic mines. Enthusiastic throughout, The Last Avant-Garde attempts the hat-trick of biography, textual analysis, and cultural criticism to proffer a thesis mingling the disparate strands of a bygone American era: that the first virile generation
Web-Based Architecture to Enable Compute-Intensive CAD Tools and Multi-user Synchronization in Teleradiology

Teleradiology is the electronic transmission of radiological patient images, such as x-rays, CT, or MR across multiple locations. The goal could be interpretation, consultation, or medical records keeping. Information technology solutions have enabled electronic records and their associated benefits are evident in health care today. However, salient aspects of collaborative interfaces, and computer assisted diagnostic (CAD) tools are yet to be integrated into workflow designs. The Computer Assisted Diagnostics and Interventions (CADI) group at the University at Buffalo has developed an architecture that facilitates web-enabled use of CAD tools, along with the novel concept of synchronized collaboration. The architecture can support multiple teleradiology applications and case studies are presented here.
The United States Congress and Imperialism, 1861–1897

Any discussion of the United States Congress and imperialism must admit at the outset a basic handicap—neither Congress nor imperialism lends itself to precise definition. As regards Congress, that part of it which between 1861 and 1897 was most influential in foreign affairs—the Senate—has been best defined by two solons who served there several decades apiece—John Sherman of Ohio and John Tyler Morgan of Alabama. They arrived at a bipartisan definition one warm afternoon of 1890, when Morgan was objecting because Sherman, as chairman of a conference committee, declined to divulge conferee secrets. Sherman, indifferent to the needs of future economists and historians, said it would be a “departure” from “gentlemanly propriety” to discuss private conversation indicating “the means by which we got together.” This aggravated Morgan, who tartly reminded Sherman, “Oh, Senators are not in that sense gentlemen in the conference-room. They are Senators.” Sherman insisted, “but they are expected to be gentlemen.”
Susceptibility to active decompensated cirrhosis is associated with polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in chronic HBV carriers

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B. Several inflammatory diseases are associated with distinct polymorphisms of the ICAM-1 gene. The aims of this study were to analyse the association of ICAM-1 polymorphisms G241R and K469E with susceptibility to active decompensated cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. The polymorphisms at codons G241R and K469E of ICAM-1 were analysed by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP) in 572 unrelated chronic HBV carriers and 157 unrelated healthy HBV non-infected blood donors. There were significantly increased frequencies of R at codon 241 and E at codon 469 in patients with active decompensated cirrhosis (38.3% and 58.3%), compared with patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; 21.9% and 46.5%) and chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC; 12.6% and 40.3%). The frequencies of R241-E469 haplotype and genotypes carrying at least one R241-E469 haplotype were significantly higher in patients with active decompensated cirrhosis than those in patients with CHB (38.3% and 63.3%vs 21.9% and 36.7%), and significantly higher in patients with CHB than those in AsC (21.9% and 36.7%vs 12.6% and 23.3%). The ICAM-1 polymorphisms at codons G241R and E469K were associated with the disease susceptibility, and susceptibility to active decompensated cirrhosis is significantly increased in chronic HBV carriers carrying at least one R241-E469 haplotype.
Rapid Genetic Algorithm Optimization of a Mouse Computational Model: Benefits for Anthropomorphization of Neonatal Mouse Cardiomyocytes

While the mouse presents an invaluable experimental model organism in biology, its usefulness in cardiac arrhythmia research is limited in some aspects due to major electrophysiological differences between murine and human action potentials (APs). As previously described, these species-specific traits can be partly overcome by application of a cell-type transforming clamp (CTC) to anthropomorphize the murine cardiac AP. CTC is a hybrid experimental-computational dynamic clamp technique, in which a computationally calculated time-dependent current is inserted into a cell in real-time, to compensate for the differences between sarcolemmal currents of that cell (e.g., murine) and the desired species (e.g., human). For effective CTC performance, mismatch between the measured cell and a mathematical model used to mimic the measured AP must be minimal. We have developed a genetic algorithm (GA) approach that rapidly tunes a mathematical model to reproduce the AP of the murine cardiac myocyte under study. Compared to a prior implementation that used a template-based model selection approach, we show that GA optimization to a cell-specific model results in a much better recapitulation of the desired AP morphology with CTC. This improvement was more pronounced when anthropomorphizing neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes to human-like APs than to guinea pig APs. CTC may be useful for a wide range of applications, from screening effects of pharmaceutical compounds on ion channel activity, to exploring variations in the mouse or human genome. Rapid GA optimization of a cell-specific mathematical model improves CTC performance and may therefore expand the applicability and usage of the CTC technique.
Expression Profiles of Tyrosine Kinases in Cultured Follicular Papilla Cells Versus Dermal Fibroblasts

Tyrosine kinases play crucial roles in cell differentiation and proliferation. Using degenerative primed PCR followed by differential display, we analyzed the tyrosine kinase expression profiles of cultured rat follicular papilla (FP) cells versus dermal fibroblasts. We showed that c-met, cdc2, and tec were preferentially expressed in cultured FP cells, whereas α-platelet-derived growth factor receptor (α-PDGFR) was preferentially expressed in cultured fibroblasts. The cell type specificity of these tyrosine kinases was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR using both rat and human cultured cells. Consistent with these results, hepatocyte growth factor preferentially stimulated the growth of rat FP cells, whereas PDGF-AA preferentially stimulated rat fibroblasts. High concentrations of some these kinases are also found in the follicular matrix keratinocytes as revealed by in situ hybridization. The expression of specific tyrosine kinases in FP and matrix cells may play roles in regulating hair growth and cycling.
Microbial Communities Associated with Tree Bark Foliose Lichens: A Perspective on their Microecology

Abstract Tree-bark, foliose lichens occur widely on a global scale. In some locales, such as forests, they contribute a substantial amount of biomass. However, there are few research reports on microbial communities including eukaryotic microbes associated with foliose lichens. Lichens collected from tree bark at 11 locations (Florida, New York State, Germany, Australia, and the Arctic) were examined to determine the density and C-biomass of bacteria and some eukaryotic microbes, i.e. heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and amoeboid protists. A rich microbial diversity was found, including large plasmodial slime molds, in some cases exceeding 100 μm in size. The densities of HNF and amoeboid protists were each positively correlated with densities of bacteria, r = 0.84 and 0.80, respectively (p < 0.01, N = 11 for each analysis) indicating a likely bacterial-based food web. Microbial densities (number/g lichen dry weight) varied markedly across the geographic sampling sites: bacteria (0.7-13.1 × 10(8) ), HNF (0.2-6.8 × 10(6) ) and amoeboid protists (0.4-4.6 × 10(3) ). The ranges in C-biomass (μg/g lichen dry weight) across the 11 sites were: bacteria (8.8-158.5), HNF (0.03-0.85), and amoeboid protists (0.08-540), the latter broad range was due particularly to absence or presence of large slime mold plasmodia.
Generalized Approach to Relaxed Force Constants

Abstract The main purpose of potential constants, i.e., force and compliance constants, is to provide a quantitative understanding of bonding relationships. Compliance constants have been shown to possess several mathematical advantages over conventional force constants.1-3 Compliance constants, however, are parameters which decrease in magnitude as bond strength increases; consequently, their use as bond strength parameters is not particularly satisfying. The desirability of a measure of bond strength which increases in magnitude as the bond becomes stronger, and at the same time possesses all the advantages of compliance constants is self evident. For this reason, the relaxed force constant Tii = 1/Cii was introduced by a Jones some time ago.4 In the present communication, this approach is generalized to include relaxed interaction force constants. A brief discussion of their meaning is also presented.
The Proximal C-Terminal Region of TRPV1 Controls Phosphoinositide Selectivity

The lipid messenger PIP2 is a critical modulator of multiple membrane proteins, including TRPV1 ion channels. We have previously reported that PIP2 is an important cofactor for activation of TRPV1. A critical question to elucidate the molecular mechanism of activation is where in the channel is the binding site for PIP2. Here we report that a single amino-acid mutation, located in a region of the C-terminus proximal to the transmembrane domains of TRPV1, inverts selectivity of these channels for phosphoinositides by making PI(4)P a stronger activator than PIP2. An in vitro FRET-based binding assay shows this proximal site is capable of binding PIP2. In addition, the distal C-terminal region, previously proposed as a candidate site for PIP2 binding, is not required for PIP2 regulation. We also addressed a recent report suggesting that an integral membrane protein called Pirt acts as the PIP2 sensor for regulation of TRPV1. Pirt expression did not appear to alter TRPV1 apparent affinity for PIP2. In summary, these results implicate the C-terminus proximal site as a PIP2 interacting domain. More importantly, PIP2 binding to this proximal site is central to TRPV1 activation.
Medulloblastoma metastatic to breast, diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy

The extracranial spread of a primary intracranial tumor is an infrequent occurrence. The most common metastatic sites in order of frequency are bone, lymph nodes, and soft tissue. Analysis of the literature uncovered only two case reports of medulloblastoma that had metastasized to the breast. Both of these cases were diagnosed by open surgical biopsies. We present a case of medullo-blastoma metastatic to the breast which was diagnosed by fineneedle aspiration biopsy. This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by a tru-cut surgical biopsy and was further supported by immunohistochemical studies. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Graduate students with marginal abilities in communication sciences and disorders: prevalence, profiles, and solutions.

Abstract This paper addresses the special challenges encountered when working with graduate students whose academic and/or clinical performance is marginal or less than satisfactory. From a variety of perspectives including instructional, professional, financial, ethical, and legal, among others, working effectively with marginal students deserves serious and systematic consideration. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a national survey that explore the prevalence, profiles, and documented impact of marginal students on professional training programs in speech–language pathology and audiology. Current strategies for prevention and intervention, factors inhibiting implementation of such strategies, and implications for the student and the program are discussed. Learning outcomes (1) To learn the prevalence, profiles, and documented impact of marginal students on professional preparation programs in communication sciences and disorders. (2) To become familiar with current strategies for prevention and intervention with marginal students, factors inhibiting implementation of such strategies, and implications for the student and the program. (3) To understand professional preparation as a system of academic, clinical, and supervisory instruction, including evaluation and due process; namely, a student’s right, a program’s responsibility. (4) To identify critical questions generated by this study that must be addressed by the professions and individual programs.
Verbal and Nonverbal Behavior of Ability-Grouped Dyads.

In this study we describe the social interactions of ability-grouped dyads as they constructed knowledge of balance concepts to elucidate the relationship between interactions and conceptual growth. The verbal and nonverbal behaviors of 30 fifth-grade students were recorded as they completed three activities related to balance. These student interactions were examined within a framework of social cognition. For each dyad, characteristics of ability-grouped dyads were identified. Results revealed that high-achieving students effectively used prior experiences, maintained focus on the learning task, and were able to manipulate the equipment effectively to construct knowledge. Low-achieving students exhibited off-task behavior, lacked a metacognitive framework for organizing the learning tasks, centered on irrelevant features of the equipment, and were unable to use language effectively to mediate learning. Within low-high student dyads, high-achieving students typically modeled thinking processes and strategies for manipulating equipment. In addition, they focused the low-achieving students on the components of the tasks while verbally monitoring their progress, thus enabling low students to identify the critical features necessary for concept construction. These results highlighted the differences that students have in the use of language and tools. Low students' inefficient use of tools has implications for the ways science teachers structure lessons and group students for laboratory work.
Constraints on gauge theories with diagonal neutral currents

We derive constraints for the representation content of SU(2)xU(1) gauge theories, whose neutral weak interactions conserve all flavors. Among the results are the following: (a) For theories where all right-handed quarks are singlets under weak isospin, the existence of quarks with different values of T/sub L//sup 2/ and Y/sub L/ implies one or more conservation laws in addition to charge. (b) In models with quarks of charges 2/3 and -1/3 and no new conservation laws we find that there are only three possibilities: (i) a generalization of the standard model with left-handed doublets and right-handed singlets, (ii) its mirror image, and (iii) a pure vector model with all quarks in doublets on the right and on the left, with degenerate masses for quarks of the same charge.
Chromatographic separation of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone-derivatized neutral, acidic and basic aldoses

Abstract Analysis, by HPLC, of reducing monosaccharides as their 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone derivatives is attractive owing to its sensitivity of detection and the generation of single derivatives of each aldose molecule [Honda et al., Anal. Biochem. 180 (1989) 351]. The present studies establish conditions for reversed-phase chromatographic analyses of hydrolysates containing neutral, basic and acidic reducing monosaccharides. In particular, glucuronic and galacturonic acids, glucosamine and galactosamine are separated completely both from one another and from the aldoses of glycoproteins commonly found. Analyses of blank hydrolysates provide the baseline for background amounts of these carbohydrates and analyses of a variety of glycoproteins illustrate the effectiveness of these separations. Elution times were established for derivatives of all tetroses, pentoses and hexoses, as well as a variety of deoxy and phosphorylated aldoses.
Gravity and positional homeostasis of the cell.

The effect of gravity upon cytoplasmic aggregates of the size present in eggs and upon cells is investigated. An expression is developed to describe the tendency of torque to rotate the egg and reorganize its constituents. This expression provides the net torque resulting from buoyancy and gravity acting upon a dumbbell-shaped cell, with heavy and light masses at either end and floating in a medium. Torques of approximately 2.5 x 10 to the -13th to 0.85 dyne-cm are found to act upon cells ranging from 6.4 microns to 31 mm (chicken egg). It is noted that cells must expend energy to maintain positional homeostasis against gravity, as demonstrated by results from Skylab 3, where tissue cultures used 58 percent more glucose on earth than in space. The implications for developmental biology, physiology, genetics, and evolution are discussed. It is argued that at the cellular and tissue levels the concept of gravity receptors may be unnecessary.
Update in Cardiology: Evidence Published in 2013

This Update summarizes studies published in 2013 that the author considers highly relevant to the practice of cardiology.
Life cycle assessment evaluation of green product labeling systems for residential construction

Purpose Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool that can be utilized to holistically evaluate novel trends in the construction industry and the associated environmental impacts. Green labels are awarded by several organizations based on single or multiple attributes. The use of multi-criteria labels is a good start to the labeling process as opposed to single criteria labels that ignore a majority of impacts from products. Life cycle thinking, in theory, has the potential to improve the environmental impacts of labeling systems. However, LCA databases currently are lacking in detailed information about products or sometimes provide conflicting information.
Electrochemistry of conducting polypyrrole films

Polypyrrole, poly-N-methylpyrrole and poly-N-phenylpyrrole polymers are prepared by the electropolymerization of the corresponding pyrrole monomer. Films of these polymers on platinum when mounted in a acetonitrile/Et4NBF4 solution can be electrochemically driven between the oxidized (conducting) form and the neutral (insulating) form. The measured E0 values are equal to −220, +480 and +600 mV vs. SSCE for polypyrrole, poly-N-methylpyrrole and poly-N-phenylpyrrole, respectively. The films are stable to this reaction and can be cycled repeatedly without evidence of decomposition. The cyclic voltammograms show that the reactions are not electrochemically reversible and the kinetic limitations of the reactions depend on the nature of the electrolyte salt. This reaction involves the oxidation of the extended π-system of the polymers and produces a color change in the film from yellow when neutral to black when oxidized.
Cost analysis related to dose-response of spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain: outcomes from a randomized controlled trial.

Objective The purpose of this analysis is to report the incremental costs and benefits of different doses of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).
An integrative review: Application of self-efficacy instruments for walking in populations with peripheral arterial disease

Objective The study objective was to identify which self-efficacy measurement instruments are being used for walking in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the psychometrics of these instruments, and recommendations for use in research on patients with PAD. Background PAD is a common problem for individuals with similar risk factors as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Experts recommend a supervised walking program with incremental increases in speed and distance as an initial treatment for patients with intermittent claudication. Because patients may experience pain while walking, there is a tendency to be nonadherent with exercise therapy, and many limit or avoid walking all together, resulting in a sedentary lifestyle. Self-efficacy plays a role in determining a person's confidence in his or her ability to participate in an exercise program. Data sources for this study were PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane database. Methods The integrative review method described by Wittemore and Knafl was used for this review (Wittemore R, Knafl K. The integrative review: updated methodology. J Adv Nurs 2005;52:546-53.). Publications were retrieved electronically and reviewed for inclusion on the basis of studies that measured self-efficacy for walking in populations with PAD, peripheral vascular disease, and CVD. The analysis consisted of 9 publications. Results Only 2 studies were specific to the population with PAD. The remaining studies addressed self-efficacy issues in CVD or congestive heart failure. The analysis identified 4 instruments based on Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory that were used to assess self-efficacy: (1) the Self-Efficacy Expectation Scale, (2) the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale, (3) the Performance-Based Efficacy Scale, and (4) the Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale. The Self-Efficacy Expectation Scale was most frequently used in these studies. Conclusions The use of the Self-Efficacy Expectation Scale instruments for walking in patients with PAD is limited because reliability and validity have been demonstrated in an older, mostly white population with CVD and congestive heart failure. Instruments that encompass the key constructs of self-efficacy, including physical, personal, and environmental aspects, would allow full evaluation with identification of potential explanations for success or failure for the chosen outcome. This should be taken into consideration in future studies when using instruments of self-efficacy.
Solution- and solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis using glucosyl iodides: a comparative study.

Glycosyl iodide donors have been used in both solid- and solution-phase syntheses yielding alpha-(1 --> 6)-linked glucosyl oligomers in highly efficient protocols. While the solid-phase strategy offers advantages in terms of ease of purification, it requires a total of 7.5 equiv of donor and approximately 12 h to complete the incorporation of one monosaccharide unit. In contrast, solution-phase methods require only 2.5 equiv of donor and 2-3 h reaction time per glycosylation. Moreover, since the reactions are virtually quantitative (> 90%) column chromatography of the material is facile. The overall advantages of solution-phase oligosaccharide synthesis were further illustrated in the convergent synthesis of a hexamer (methoxycarbonylmethyl 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-tetrakis-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6))-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-D-glucopyranoside) that was constructed from dimer donor iodides in a two-plus-two and a two-plus-four fashion.
The Prespore Vesicles of Dictyostelium discoideum PURIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION

The coordinate fusion of the prespore vesicles (PSVs) with the plasma membrane at the terminal stage of spore differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum is an important example of developmentally regulated protein secretion. However, little is known about the composition of the vesicles, the molecular signals regulating secretion, or the mechanics of the membrane fusion. Taking a biochemical approach, we purified PSVs from different developmental stages. These preparations are highly enriched for their specific cargo of spore coat proteins while devoid of markers for other cellular compartments. Electron microscopic observations show that the PSV preparations are homogenous, with the soluble spore coat protein PsB/SP85 distributed throughout the lumen and the acid mucopolysaccharide localized in the central core. During development the PSVs increase in size and density concomitant with an increase in their protein cargo. The PSVs contain approximately 80 proteins, and we have identified a PSV-specific GTP-binding protein that may be involved in regulating vesicle fusion. The PSVs are not clathrin-coated and do not contain the SpiA spore coat protein. The PSV preparations are ideal for a global proteome analysis to identify proteins involved in signal reception, vesicle movement, docking, and fusion in this developmentally regulated organelle.