cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges and Changes Faced by Rural Superintendents

This research study was designed to build grounded theory about the challenges faced by rural superintendents. Participating rural superintendents identified five areas that presented a challenge but that also applied to superintendents in other settings: school law, finance, personnel, government mandates, and district or board policies. Further, these superintendents identified challenges related specifically to the rural setting and to their lack of acculturation to the demands of rural school leadership. Focus group research conducted among rural superintendents in New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee indicated that the challenges of the rural superintendency were distinct enough to warrant some specialized preparation for such service.
THE PROCESS OF AGING IN PERIPHERAL CHOLINERGIC NEURONS

Publisher Summary The ciliary ganglion-iris preparation of the chick represents a suitable organ for studying the process of aging in a homogeneous population of cholinergic nerve cells. The development of endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) levels as well as Ch uptake and the activity of cholinergic enzymes in animals up to 7 years of age have been followed. Total choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) activity reaches its peak at 1 year, decreases to 2 years, is unvaried to 5 years, and falls at 7 years. ACh and Ch levels increase in the iris up to 1 year and then decline continuously until 7 years. Acetylcholinesterase activity, which is mostly (85%) postsynaptic, does not change between 3 months and to 6 years. The process of aging on peripheral cholinergic neurons is not a generalized phenomenon involving damage to the entire neuron or cell death as previously suggested in the studies of the CNS but is specifically directed toward the neuronal periphery (terminals).
EMS and Trauma Systems

When a person is injured, timely treatment of the injury is needed to mitigate the impact. Trauma systems were developed to provide immediate and coordinated care of the injured patient. The premise underlying the development of state and regional trauma systems is that an organized system of trauma care ensures that critically injured patients are appropriately triaged and/or transferred to high-quality definitive care, without delay. A trauma system consists of three major providers and associated components – prehospital, acute care, and rehabilitation. The goal of trauma system research is to identify the optimal components of trauma systems that reduce morbidity and mortality for the injured patient, while efficiently using limited resources. In this chapter, the key characteristics and purpose for trauma systems are defined to lay a foundation for issues related to trauma system research. The advantages and disadvantages of national and state trauma system datasets are discussed. Highlighted examples of trauma system research from the 1960s to the present are given. The chapter concludes with challenges and future direction.
Effect of a delay in definitive surgery in melanoma on overall survival: A NCDB analysis.

e21586Background: Time delay from diagnosis to definitive surgery has negative impact on the overall and disease-specific survival in breast cancer but the same has not been proven for colon cancer...
AI and Clinicians: Not a Mutually Exclusive Zero-Sum Game

Recent bold, eye-catching headline predictions made by nonradiologists, e.g., "in a few years, radiology will disappear" and "stop training radiologists now," are not only far from reality but also irresponsible and a disservice to the appropriate implementation and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to health care. It is highly likely and foreseeable that AI will enhance the quality and efficiency of the current clinical practice across many specialties and even render some activities in clinical practice obsolete.
Using an Instrumented Learning Environment to Understand Procrastination

This study aims to identify procrastinating behavior of students by tracking their activities in an undergraduate engineering course and to explore its relationship with course performance. In our research, we have examined methods for instrumenting students’ ordinary learning activities in undergraduate engineering courses. More specifically, we provide students with digital smartpens they use to complete their assignments, lecture notes, and exams. We also provide them with an instrumented document viewer that records reading effort for course documents. This technology provides a fine-grained, time-stamped record of writing and reading throughout the course. In the present work, we examine a student’s studying effort in relation to the due dates of assignments and compare this with academic achievement in a course. The results show that when a student studies is a powerful predictor of academic success. For example, students who do their work in the 24 hours immediately preceding a due date tend to do poorly, while those who do their work one or two days early, tend to perform well. This work is a first step toward building tools that allow students to monitor their learning habits and use this information to improve their own academic performance.
Batch to Flow Deoxygenation Using Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis.

A catalytic one-pot deoxygenation protocol for primary and secondary alcohols (I) that shows high functional group tolerance is developed.
How inhomogeneous zipping increases the force output of Peano-HASEL actuators

Abstract Research in soft robotics has yielded numerous types of soft actuators with widely differing mechanisms of operation that enable functionality that is difficult or impossible to reproduce with hard actuators such as electromagnetic motors. The Peano-HASEL (hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic) actuator is a new type of electrostatic, linearly contracting, soft actuator that features large strains, fast actuation, and high energy densities. Peano-HASEL actuators are comprised of pouches, which are made of flexible dielectric polymer films, filled with a liquid dielectric, and covered with flexible electrodes. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, they “zip” together due to the Maxwell stress, which displaces the liquid inside the pouch, and causes the actuator to contract. Zipping can occur homogeneously or inhomogeneously. In this letter we analyze inhomogeneous zipping and its influence on the performance of Peano-HASEL actuators. We develop a theoretical model that describes inhomogeneous as well as homogeneous zipping of the electrodes and characterize the behavior of actuators experimentally. Inhomogeneous zipping occurs (depending on the size of the electrodes) predominantly at large loads, because it allows for larger areas of the electrodes to be zipped. Inhomogeneous zipping increases the blocking force of the actuators and leads to larger actuation strains near the blocking force. Exploiting inhomogeneous zipping by increasing the electrode size enables an increase in the blocking force of the actuators by up to 47%.
Reduced Gut Microbiome Diversity and Metabolome Differences in Rhinoceros Species at Risk for Iron Overload Disorder

Iron overload disorder (IOD) affects many wildlife species cared for ex situ. Two of the four rhinoceros species in human care, Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), are susceptible, whereas the other two, white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and greater one-horned (GOH) rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), are relatively resistant to IOD. Complex interrelationships exist between mammalian hosts, their indigenous gut microbiota, metabolome, physical condition, and iron availability. The goal of this study was to gain insight into these relationships within the family Rhinocerotidae. Specific objectives were to (1) characterize the gut microbiome and metabolome of four rhinoceros species; (2) compare the microbiome and metabolome of IOD-susceptible and IOD-resistant rhinoceros species; and (3) identify variation in the microbiome and metabolome associated with compromised health or disease in IOD-susceptible rhinoceroses. Fecal samples were collected from 31 rhinoceroses (Sumatran rhinoceros, n = 3; black rhinoceros, n = 6; GOH rhinoceros, n = 9; white rhinoceros, n = 13) located at five facilities, and matched fecal aliquots were processed for microbiome and metabolome analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Despite the phylogenetic disparity and dissimilar zoo diets of the hosts, the structure of the fecal microbiota of the two IOD-susceptible rhinoceros species were more closely related to each other than to those of the two IOD-resistant species (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity; IOD-susceptible vs. IOD-resistant p-value < 0.001). In addition, IOD-susceptible rhinoceroses exhibited less microbial diversity than their IOD-resistant relatives (Shannon diversity; p-value < 0.001) which could have health implications. Of note, the black rhinoceros was distinct among the four rhinoceros species with the most divergent fecal metabolome; interestingly, it contained higher concentrations of short chain fatty acids. Neither age nor sex were associated with differences in microbial community composition (p = 0.253 and 0.488, respectively) or fecal metabolomic profile (p = 0.634 and 0.332, respectively). Differences in the distal gut microbiomes between IOD-resistant and IOD-susceptible rhinoceroses support hypotheses that gut microbes play a role in host iron acquisition, and further studies and experiments to test these hypotheses are warranted.
Non-linear regression models for imputing longitudinal missing data

The state-of-the-art literature has largely accepted multivariate imputation techniques such as multiple imputation using chained equations (MICE) [1], [2]. The MICE model is primarily proposed to impute missing values in cross-sectional data. However, the time varying nature of longitudinal data has not been fully modeled in traditional imputation methods [3], [4]. We have speculated two issues with MICE model and proposed a new approach to address these issues. First, the chained equations used in MICE are linear regression models. The performance of non-linear regression models has not been well sought in the literature. Second, the regression models of MICE may yield estimates of missing values that are out of bounds or range of normalization. This phenomenon eventually affects the overall imputation performance. In this study, we propose three methods for imputing longitudinal data: 1) an unsupervised method using piece-wise interpolation, 2) supervised non-linear regression models, and 3) an integration of the proposed unsupervised and supervised methods in a hybrid imputation pipeline.
CLL-1, a Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Leukemic Stem Cells, Is a Potential Target for Immunotherapy of AML

CLL-1 (C-type Lectin-Like Molecule-1) is an inhibitory receptor expressed on myeloid cells which was previously shown to be expressed on AML cancer stem cells. To further validate the potential therapeutic against CLL-1, we generated a series of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CLL-1 and assessed their cytotoxic and anti-cancer activities. While expression of CLL-1 was restricted to myeloid cells, it was expressed in 80% (37/46) of AML blasts but not in ALL blasts (n=5). Expression on AML CD34+/CD38- stem cells was detected in 71% (12/17) of cases. Selected anti-CLL-1 mAbs mediated dose-dependent. Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity (CDC) against various AML-derived cell lines with no detectable cytotoxic activity against lymphoid derived cell lines. Moreover, human embryonic kidney 293 cells became susceptible to anti-CLL-1 mAb mediated killing only after transfection with CLL-1, demonstrating that cytotoxic activity is mediated through a specific interaction with CLL-1. Furthermore, anti-CLL-1 mAbs showed CDC activity against all AML blasts tested in ex vivo assays (n=13), while no activity was observed against ALL blasts. CLL-1 efficiently internalizes upon antibody binding in both 293 transfected cells as well as AML cell lines, demonstrating the potential therapeutic opportunity for toxin-conjugation of anti-CLL-1 mAbs. In vivo anti-cancer activity of the lead chimeric mAb against CLL-1 was tested in an HL-60 xenograft model. In this model, growth of established tumors was reduced by 38% at 5 mg/kg twice weekly dosing. Our results demonstrate CLL-1 as an attractive target for AML with restricted expression on cells from myeloid origin, AML blasts and leukemic stem cells, as well as specific cytotoxic activity in in vitro , ex vivo and in vivo assays. We are currently undertaking additional xenograft models to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these mAbs against primary AML engrafted cells and in combination with chemotherapy in vivo .
Radiolabelled Bacterial Metallophores as Targeted PET Imaging Contrast Agents for Accurate Identification of Bacteria and Outer Membrane Vesicles in vivo

Abstract Modern technologies such as 16s DNA sequencing capable of identifying microbes and provide taxonomic resolution at species and strain-specific levels is destined to be transformative1. Likewise, there is an emerging need to accurately identify both infectious and non-infectious microbes non-invasively in the body at the genus and species level to guide diagnosis and treatment strategies. Here, we report development of radiometal-labelled bacterial chelators, knowns as metallophores that allow non-invasive and selective imaging of bacteria and bacterial products in vivo. We show that these novel contrast agents are able to identify E. coli with strain level specificity and other bacteria, such as K. pneumoniae, based on expression of distinct cognate transporters on the bacterial surface. The probe is also capable of tracking probiotic, engineered bacteria and bacterial products, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), in unique niches such as tumours. Moreover, we report that this novel targeted imaging approach has impactful applicability in monitoring antibiotic treatment outcomes in patients with pulmonary infections, thereby providing the ability to optimize individualized therapeutic approaches. Compared to traditional techniques used to manufacture probes, this strategy simplifies the process considerably by combining the function of metal attachment and cell recognition into a single molecule. Thus, we anticipate that these probes will be widely used in both clinical and investigative settings in living systems for non-invasive imaging of infectious and non-infectious organisms.
Internal Medicine Residents' Perceptions of Pharmacist Involvement in Medical Rounds.

Background: Current physicians note the positive effects of clinical pharmacists on rounds, yet minimal evidence exists regarding medical residents’ view of pharmacists in this setting. Knowing their perceptions of clinical pharmacists on acute care rounds will allow pharmacists to optimize their roles and improve their interprofessional interactions. Objective: To assess internal medicine residents’ perceptions of pharmacists on rounds, evaluate which recommendations they prefer to receive, and examine their past experiences with pharmacists on rounds. Methods: Internal medicine residents were invited to complete an online survey containing 7 items regarding past experiences with pharmacists on rounds (5-point Likert-type scale; 1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree), 3 items about preferred recommendations (ranking questions), and 6 items regarding perceptions of pharmacy practice (5-point Likert-type scale; 1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree). Data were analyzed using frequencies. Results: 27 residents participated (33.75% response rate). A majority strongly agreed that they always want a pharmacist to be a part of their rounding team (Mean ± SD = 4.93 ± 0.26). They prefer receiving recommendations from the pharmacist in-person before, during, or after rounds and appreciate recommendations on topics such as anticoagulants, antimicrobial stewardship, and renal dose adjustments. Residents did not express a strong knowledge of pharmacists’ education and training processes (Mean ± SD = 3.77 ± 1.05), which may have led to their lack of agreement that pharmacists are equipped to be mid-level practitioners (Mean ± SD = 3.00 ± 1.30). Conclusions: Internal medicine residents had positive experiences with rounding pharmacists and desire their involvement on rounds. Pharmacists should make recommendations to residents in-person and educate them on their education and training to allow for further advocacy for pharmacist services.
Microfluidic filament thinning of aqueous, fibrillar methylcellulose solutions

Filament stretching using a flow-focusing microfluidic device coupled with image analysis has emerged as a promising method to resolve extensional properties of low viscosity, low molecular weight solutions. This method was used to calculate extensional properties of aqueous methylcellulose (MC) solutions at varying NaCl concentrations, where transient changes in filament diameter were used to calculate the flow-driven, apparent extensional viscosity of each solution. The increase in apparent extensional viscosity at room temperature as the NaCl concentration increases is attributed to the presence of a fibrillar MC network formed in solution.
Farfield coherent infrasound generation using an air-propane burner.

An invaluable tool in the characterization of any receiver, propagation path, or detection system is a source with known and repeatable signal characteristics. This article presents the theoretical development and engineering design of a coherent (nonexplosive, periodic with controlled duration) infrasound source in the sub-hertz to several hertz band. Design of a sound source within this band is a difficult engineering challenge. The simple source equation, which will govern any portable human-fabricated infrasound source due to the long wavelengths, shows this fundamental difficulty. As frequency decreases, volume displacement must increase by the squared inverse factor of frequency in order to maintain an equal pressure amplitude at equal range. For this reason, the authors evaluate using the high energy density available in gas combustion to periodically displace large volumes of air within the open atmosphere. Prototype testing has verified the capability of generating continuous signals at a fundamental frequency of 0.25 Hz in the farfield—ranges in which pressure and particle velocity can be considered in-phase—where the product of the acoustic wavenumber and range is near 4.7. The generation of frequency content throughout the 0.25–4.0 Hz band with a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio was also demonstrated.
Impact of Maternal Age on the Foreign-Born Paradox.

To examine the effect of maternal age on the risk of preterm birth and its phenotypes in foreign-born compared to native-born mothers. The 2014–2017 US Birth and Fetal Death data were analyzed (N = 14,867,880). Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (APR), quantifying the association between mother’s nativity and preterm birth and its phenotypes, stratified by maternal age. Foreign-born mothers had a 13% lower probability of preterm birth compared to their native-born counterparts (APR, 0.87 [95% CI 0.86–0.87]). This protective effect persisted across all preterm phenotypes. Stratification by maternal age showed a slightly elevated risk in preterm and moderate-to-late preterm for adolescent mothers. Our study supports the existence of the “foreign-born paradox” whereby foreign-born mothers experienced lower levels of preterm birth despite the disadvantages of living in an alien socio-cultural environment. This favorable birth outcome was present primarily in foreign-born mothers aged ≥ 20 years.
Comparison of Y-Balance Test Performance by maturation status in youth distance runners:

Background:Distance running is a popular interscholastic sport, but also has an associated high risk of running-related injuries. Recent literature suggests that functional tests may help to identi...
Medial-lateral hip positions predicted kinetic asymmetries during double-leg squats in collegiate athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Abstract ACL re-injury rates are high in collegiate athletes, and double-leg squats have been used as a functional weight-bearing exercise to strengthen the lower extremities and assess bilateral kinetic asymmetries. The primary purpose was to quantify the correlations between medial–lateral shoulder/hip positions and lateral bending angles and bilateral asymmetries in vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) and knee extension moments during double-leg squats in collegiate athletes at two assessments following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Seventeen National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes performed double-leg squats between 0 and 6 months and/or between 6 and 12 months following their ACLR while kinematic and kinetic data were collected. Medial-lateral shoulder positions strongly and significantly correlated with VGRF asymmetries at both assessments (p ≤ 0.007, r ≥ 0.68). Medial-lateral hip positions strongly and significantly correlated with VGRF asymmetries and knee moment asymmetries at both assessments (p ≤ 0.018, r ≥ 0.62). Additionally, participants demonstrated decreased VGRF asymmetries and knee moment asymmetries, more neutral shoulder and hip positions, and increased knee moments for the injured leg at the second assessment compared to the first assessment with large effect sizes (p ≤ 0.008, Cohen’s d ≥ 1.06). In conclusion, medial–lateral hip positions correlated and predicted VGRF and knee moment asymmetries during double-leg squats in collegiate athletes at two assessments (0–6 and 6–12 months) following ACLR. The bilateral asymmetries support the need for an individual approach for kinetic asymmetry assessments. A commercially available camera can be utilized as a low-cost and convenient tool to monitor and potentially train bilateral kinetic symmetries during double-leg squats in patients following ACLR.
Racist and Raciolinguistic Teacher Ideologies: When Bilingual Education is “Inherently Culturally Relevant” for Latinxs

Many schools attempt to address the needs of “English-language learners,” who usually are Spanish-dominant Latinxs, by offering dual-language (DL) bilingual education. While undertaking a larger ethnographic study of one such secondary-level dual-language program, I examined how dual-language teachers understood the program as equitable for Latinxs. I found that teachers believed DL met Latinxs’ needs by providing Spanish-language/biliteracy schooling, which deemphasized the need for explicitly enhancing youths’ critical consciousness. This teacher ideology of assuming DL is “inherently culturally relevant” led to significant issues. For example, teachers believed DL would improve Latinxs’ academic achievement, but when teachers perceived Latinx achievement was not on par with White dual-language students’ outcomes, teachers made sense of Latinxs’ underperformance in DL through racist explanations and did not interrogate the program’s cultural relevance. Specifically, teachers pointed to the program not providing Latinxs the needed Spanish input even though the Latinx students self-identified as bilingual and were the “Spanish-dominant” students, and teachers pointed to Latinxs’ cultural and familial deficits. I argue teachers overlooked critical-racial consciousness as an important component of an equitable education. Implications include for teachers to cultivate their critical-racial consciousness, interrogate raciolinguistic ideologies, and define an equitable DL as centering critical-racial consciousness.
Approximation algorithms for traveling salesman problems based on linear programming relaxation

The traveling salesman problem (TSP) is the problem of finding a shortest Hamiltonian circuit or path in a given weighted graph. This problem has been studied in numerous variants, and linear programming has played an important role in the design of approximation algorithms for these problems. In this thesis, we study two versions of the traveling salesman problem and present approximation algorithms for them based on the Held-Karp relaxation. We first investigate the s-t path TSP. Hoogeveen showed that the natural variant of Christofides' algorithm is a 5/3-approximation algorithm for this problem; this asymptotically tight bound had remained the best approximation ratio known until now. We surpass this 20-year-old barrier by presenting a deterministic 1+52 -approximation algorithm for the s-t path TSP for an arbitrary metric. The techniques devised in this context can also be applied to other optimization problems including the prize-collecting s-t path problem and the unit-weight graphical metric s-t path TSP. The integrality gaps of the LP relaxations for all three problems are studied. Then we consider the bottleneck asymmetric TSP, where the objective is minimizing the bottleneck (or maximum-length) edge cost rather than the total edge cost. We present the first nontrivial approximation algorithm for this problem by giving a novel algorithmic technique to shortcut Eulerian circuits while bounding the lengths of the shortcuts needed. Building on this framework, and the result of Asadpour, Goemans, Madry, Oveis Gharan, and Saberi, we achieve an O(log n/ log log n)-approximation algorithm. We also explore the possibility of improvement upon this result through a comparison to the symmetric counterpart of the problem.
Health and safety evaluation of a modified tunnel borer design for application to single entry coal mine development

A health and safety analysis of a single entry coal tunnel borer system is given. The results of the health analysis indicated that while the tunnel borer design offered improvements in dust control through the use of water sprays, a higher face ventilation rule, and the application of spalling rather than the conventional grinding process, it interjected an additional mutagen and toxic compound into the environment through the use of shotcrete. The tunnel borer system easily conformed with the prescribed fatality limit, but exceeded the required limits for disabling and overall injuries. It also exhibited projected disabling and overall injury rates considerably higher than existing continuous mining injury rates. Consequently, the tunnel borer system was not considered an advanced system.
Chapter 3 The biosynthesis of vitamin B12

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cobalt branch which leads to the cobalamins, a specific group of corrinoids in which the lower axial ligand attached to cobalt is 5, 6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMBI). The coenzyme forms, adenosyl cobalamin (1) and methyl cobalamin ( 2 ) , in which the 6th upper axial ligands are deoxy- adenosine and methyl respectively, are the biologically active forms of vitamin B 12 (cyanocobalamin) (3). These coenzymes mediate an important and interesting series of rearrangements and group transfers which depend on initial homolysis of the cobalt carbon bond (Co(III)→Co(II)). The biosynthetic pathway follows those of heme and chlorophyll as far as uro’gen III at which stage the three main routes diverge in one direction to oxidative/decarboxylative pathways leading to heme and chlorophyll, and in the other to a series of C-methylations leading from uro’gen III to sirohydrochlorin (and on to cobalamin) in which the ‘cobalt’ route maintains the same oxidation level throughout. A further (iron) branch connects sirohydrochlorin to siroheme.
Enhanced probabilistic verification with 3spin and 3murphi

3Spin and 3Murphi are modified versions of the Spin model checker and the Murϕ verifier. Our modifications enhance the probabilistic algorithms and data structures for storing visited states, making them more effective and more usable for verifying huge transition systems. The tools also support a verification methodology designed to minimize time to finding errors, or to reaching desired certainty of error-freedom. This methodology calls for bitstate hashing, hash compaction, and integrated analyses of both to provide feedback and advice to the user. 3Spin and 3Murphi are the only tools to offer this support, and do so with the most powerful and flexible currently-available implementations of the underlying algorithms and data structures.
Hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

Abstract Thirteen patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis underwent right and transatrial septal left heart catheterization. Outflow obstruction was measured in the resting state and during a variety of stimulating maneuvers before and after the intravenous administration of 150 μg/kg of propranolol. The patients were then treated with orally administered propranolol and followed up for an average period of 17 months. Nine patients were available for a second catheterization, during which detailed hemodynamic measurements were repeated. Most patients had an initially favorable response to propranolol. However, 3 with an initially good response had a return of symptoms during the period of study. The initial clinical response appeared to correlate with the reduction of outflow obstruction seen after intravenous administration of propranolol. The long-term clinical course correlated with the hemodynamic findings at the second catheterization. The severity or lability of the outflow obstruction during the initial catheterization did not appear to have predictive value for the patient's response to long-term therapy. Propranolol had a favorable effect on the symptomatic state of the patients, but did not appear to change the course of the underlying disease.
In-gel equilibration for improved protein retention in 2DE-based proteomic workflows

The 2DE is a powerful proteomic technique, with excellent protein separation capabilities where intact proteins are spatially separated by pI and molecular weight. 2DE is commonly used in conjunction with MS to identify proteins of interest. Current 2DE workflow requires several manual processing steps that can lead to experimental variability and sample loss. One such step is the transition between first dimension IEF and second-dimension SDS-PAGE, which requires exchanging denaturants and the reduction and alkylation of proteins. This in-solution-based equilibration step has been shown to be rather inefficient, losing up to 30% of the original starting material through diffusion effects. We have developed a refinement of this equilibration step using agarose stacking gels poured on top of the second-dimension SDS-PAGE gel, referred to as in-gel equilibration. We show that in-gel equilibration is effective at reduction and alkylation in SDS-PAGE gels. Quantification of whole-cell extracts separated on 2DE gels shows that in-gel equilibration increases protein retention, decreased intergel variability, and simplifies 2DE workflow.
Statistical Inference for Stationary Point Processes

This work is divided into three principal sections which also correspond to the three lectures given at Bloomington. The topics cover, some useful point process parameters and their properties, estimation of time domain parameters and the estimation of freq1.1ence domain parameters.
Tamoxifen stimulates arachidonic acid release from rat liver cells by an estrogen receptor-independent, non-genomic mechanism.

Background Tamoxifen is widely prescribed for the treatment of breast cancer. Its success has been attributed to the modulation of the estrogen receptor. I have previously proposed that the release of arachidonic acid from cells may also mediate cancer prevention.
The predictability of the small-for-gestational-age infant by real-time ultrasound-derived measurements combined with pulsed Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry

During a 15-month period 373 level II ultrasound examinations were performed in 256 high-risk patients. In addition, pulsed Doppler spectral recordings of blood flow in the fetal umbilical arteries were made. A systolic/diastolic ratio was then calculated for each fetus. Real-time ultrasound-derived estimated fetal weight with the use of biparietal diameter and abdominal circumference was also calculated. The estimated fetal weights were categorized by placing them in a percentile for gestational age according to published nomograms. Complete birth data and outcomes were obtained in all patients. Both the systolic/diastolic ratio and ultrasound-estimated fetal weight grouped by percentile ranking for gestational age were highly predictive (p = 0.001) of babies who were subsequently born small for gestational age. Seventy-nine percent of the infants small for gestational age had umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratios greater than or equal to 4, whereas only 21% had normal systolic/diastolic ratios. Forty-three percent of the infants who were small for gestational age had ultrasound-estimated fetal weights less than or equal to 10th percentile for the gestational age at which it was measured. Umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratios, which reflect an increase in peripheral resistance in the placental circulation, showed a highly predictive and discriminatory index for the evaluation of the fetus suspected of having growth retardation.
Simulation of atmospheric dispersion of elevated releases from point sources in Mississippi Gulf Coast with different meteorological data.

Atmospheric dispersion calculations are made using the HYSPLIT Particle Dispersion Model for studying the transport and dispersion of air-borne releases from point elevated sources in the Mississippi Gulf coastal region. Simulations are performed separately with three meteorological data sets having different spatial and temporal resolution for a typical summer period in 1-3 June 2006 representing a weak synoptic condition. The first two data are the NCEP global and regional analyses (FNL, EDAS) while the third is a meso-scale simulation generated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with nested domains at a fine resolution of 4 km. The meso-scale model results show significant temporal and spatial variations in the meteorological fields as a result of the combined influences of the land-sea breeze circulation, the large scale flow field and diurnal alteration in the mixing depth across the coast. The model predicted SO2 concentrations showed that the trajectory and the concentration distribution varied in the three cases of input data. While calculations with FNL data show an overall higher correlation, there is a significant positive bias during daytime and negative bias during night time. Calculations with EDAS fields are significantly below the observations during both daytime and night time though plume behavior follows the coastal circulation. The diurnal plume behavior and its distribution are better simulated using the mesoscale WRF meteorological fields in the coastal environment suggesting its suitability for pollution dispersion impact assessment in the local scale. Results of different cases of simulation, comparison with observations, correlation and bias in each case are presented.
Detection and identification of Clerodendron golden mosaic China virus in Salvia splendens

Two viral DNAs were obtained by rolling circle amplification conducted on DNA extracts from salvia (Salvia splendens) cv. ‘Dancing Flame’ showing variegated foliage resembling virus symptoms. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of an isolate of the putative begomovirus Clerodendron golden mosaic China virus. The virus was detected in all salvia plants showing variegated foliage, but not in non-variegated plants. The virus was graft-transmitted to healthy salvias which reproduced the original symptoms. Attempts to transmit the virus with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci biotype B failed. The results of this investigation strongly suggest that the salvia isolate of Clerodendron golden mosaic China virus (ClGMCNV-Sal[USA:LA:11]) is the cause of the variegated foliage of S. splendens cv. ‘Dancing Flame’. This is the first report of this virus in the United States.
Recent progress in the application of large-format and multispectral QWIP IRFPAs

In recent years quantum well infrared (IR) photodetector (QWIP) focal plane array (FPA) technology has developed to the point where it may be considered a candidate for insertion into 3rd generation FLIR systems. Both large format (1024x1024 pixels) and multicolor (MWIR/LWIR and LWIR/LWIR) FPAs have been produced using QWIP technology. We report on the application of these new FPAs to the challenges facing today's military. These include the collection of signatures of buried land mines with a LWIR/LWIR dual-color QWIP and long-range target detection/identification using a 1024x1024 FPA. The FPAs were produced from several sources. Large format LWIR FPAs were made by an ARL/NASA/Rockwell team using ARL’s C-QWIP optical coupling scheme. Another large-format FPA was obtained from QWIP Technologies, Inc. and is commercially available. The dual-color LWIR/LWIR FPA was produced by BAE Systems. Laboratory and field imagery from both types of FPAs are presented and analyzed.
Simultaneously Imaging Oxygen Saturation and Blood Flow Using Optical-resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy

Abstract: By the use of dual-wavelength light excitation and bidirectional motor scanning, optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy images oxygen saturation and blood flow of the mouse ear simultaneously.
Applications of neutron computed tomography in the geosciences

Abstract A research program that applies neutron computed tomography (CT) to geological problems has been developed at the McClellan Nuclear Radiation Center (UCD-MNRC) owned and operated by the University of California, Davis (UCD-MNRC). The high penetration of neutrons, their sensitivity to light elements, and their special sensitivity to hydrogen (in water or organic materials) make them an ideal tool for non-destructive examination of complex materials of geological interest. There are four research foci at UCD-MNRC related to geological material characterization: (1) quantification of textures of deformed crystalline rocks; (2) properties of multi-phase flow in porous rocks and sediments; (3) distribution of organic and inorganic carbon in silicate and carbonate rocks; and (4) CO 2 sequestration through fluid-rock reaction. Examples of these research activities will be presented. A new CT infrastructure is being installed at the UCD-MNRC to meet the needs of these four research programs. Among the upgrades are the development of a “micro” CT facility and standardized CT acquisition, compatible with X-ray CT. The latter will allow direct indexing between X-ray and neutron radiograph projections and subsequent CT reconstructions.
Shuttle Entry Air Data System (SEADS) - Optimization of preflight algorithms based on flight results

The SEADS pressure model algorithm results were tested against other sources of air data, in particular, the Shuttle Best Estimated Trajectory (BET). The algorithm basis was also tested through a comparison of flight-measured pressure distribution vs the wind tunnel database. It is concluded that the successful flight of SEADS and the subsequent analysis of the data shows good agreement between BET and SEADS air data.
On "pure axial" monosubstituted cyclohexanes: Cyclohexyl nitronate esters adopt O-equatorial conformations

It has been reported recently by Kang and Yin that a complex O-cyclohexyl nitronate and the corresponding O-cyclohexyloxime constitute the “first completely stable axial conformers of monosubstituted cyclohexanes at room temperature.” If true, this claim violates a central principle of alicyclic conformational analysis. We have evaluated it by performing ab initio and molecular mechanics calculations to show that energy barriers in the C−O−XC−C(O)−O−C system (X = N and N+−O-) are low and that the equatorial−axial ratio is 2−3:1. To experimentally verify the predictions, we have synthesized seven analogues of the previously reported O-cyclohexyl nitronate using Mitsunobu chemistry, including genuine O-axial and O-equatorial conformers anchored by a 4-tert-butyl group. Both the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the compounds have been carefully analyzed to be in complete accord with literature precedent. Finally, we have also prepared the compound claimed to be monosubstituted and O-axial. NMR analysis shows the O-...
Pregnancy anxiety and comorbid depression and anger: effects on the fetus and neonate.

One hundred sixty-six women were classified as experiencing high or low anxiety during the second trimester of pregnancy. The high anxiety women also had high scores on depression and anger scales. In a follow-up across pregnancy, the fetuses of the high anxiety women were noted to be more active and to experience growth delays. The high anxiety mothers' high prenatal norepinephrine and low dopamine levels were followed by their neonates having low dopamine and serotonin levels. The high anxiety mothers' newborns also had greater relative right frontal EEG activation and lower vagal tone. Finally, the newborns of high anxiety mothers spent more time in deep sleep and less time in quiet and active alert states and showed more state changes and less optimal performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (motor maturity, autonomic stability and withdrawal). These data highlight the need for prenatal intervention for elevated anxiety symptoms during pregnancy.
Georgetown University Fuel Cell Transit Bus Program

Georgetown University (GU) has been at the forefront in the development of transportation fuel cells for over eighteen years. GU has been involved in the development, demonstration and testing of several fuel cell power plants and vehicles, including three 30-foot transit buses and two 40-foot transit buses. All of these vehicles are still operational. GU rolled out a 40-foot fuel cell powered transit bus May 1998. This electric bus is powered by a 100 kW Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells, LLC. A second 100 kW Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) power plant has been fabricated by Ballard Transportation Business Unit and has been integrated into a second 40-foot transit bus platform. This is the world′s largest PEMFC power plant capable of operating on liquid methanol; it rolled out in December, 2001. The GU program is the only one of its kind that is addressing the commercialization of the easily refueled and longer-range, liquid-fueled fuel cell buses. As a hydrogen carrier, methanol greatly exceeds the vehicular weight percent storage targets for hydrogen set by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Coal, an abundant US domestic fuel, can be used to produce methanol. The potential to make domestic coal the feedstock for transportation fuel cannot be ignored. This offers a realistic approach to true energy independence. The GU Fuel Cell Powered Transit Bus Program is supported by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Iridium Anomaly Approximately Synchronous with Terminal Eocene Extinctions

An iridium anomaly has been found in coincidence with the known microtektite level in cores from Deep Sea Drilling Project site 149 in the Caribbean Sea. The iridium was probably not in the microtektites but deposited simultaneously with them; this could occur if the iridium was deposited from a dust cloud resulting from a bolide impact, as suggested for the anomaly associated with the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Other workers have deduced that the microtektites are part of the North American strewn tektite field, which is dated at about 34 million years before present, and that the microtektite horizon in deep-sea cores is synchronous with the extinction of five radiolarian species. Mass extinctions also occur in terrestrial mammals within 4 million years of this time. The iridium anomaly and the tektites and microtektites are supportive of a major bolide impact about 34 million years ago.
Some Economic Effects of Revolution: Models, Measurement, and the Cuban Evidence

While theorists have scrutinized the causes of revolution, they have avoided systematic study of its consequences. This paper counters such in a number of ways. Rival models of the effects of revolution are developed. To make testing of these competing models possible, revolution is conceived of as an experimental treatment in an interrupted time-series design. Utilizing this design, economic data on the Cuban Revolution are analyzed. The findings reject three leading models of revolutionary effects-the Conservative, the Marxist, and the Thermidorian. Instead, the results hint that the economic effects of revolution are neither as pervasive nor as disruptive as commonly supposed, at least in the short run.
Cutaneous Microflora of Patients with Repeated Skin Infections

The microflora of normal skin in 16 patients with repeated staphylococcal and streptococcal skin infections was examined to determine whether abnormalities existed which would indicate a protective role for the indigenous flora against colonization by pathogens. Five sites-hands, feet, axilla, groin and back-were examined quantitatively and qualitatively and compared with a control group. Total populations of indigenous flora were significantly higher from patients with repeated skin infections of the back, axillae and feet. The frequency of isolation of different species from normal skin was comparable between the control and experimental groups, with the exception of the incidence of Staphylococcus aurcus and Proteus species which were isolated only from patients with repeated skin infections. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated with comparable frequency between the two groups, but patients with repeated skin infections tended to carry gram-negative bacteria on multiple sites. It was concluded from the high population of indigenous flora and the types of microorganisms present that the microflora of normal skin did not appear to protect patients with repeated skin infections against colonization by pathogens. The presence of high populations of Staphylococcus aurcus on the normal skin of patients with repeated skin infections would appear to be the most important contributing factor.
Freedom and controversy on campus: The holocaust questioned

When the student newspaper editors plan to publish an ad questioning the existence of the Holocaust, the issue “burn[s] throughout the community.” Should the president prevent the ad's publication? What principles and values should enter into his decision?
Validation of phone administration of short-form disability and psychology questionnaires.

Purpose To assess whether there was a difference in score between paper and telephone administration of disability and psychological questionnaires relevant to patients with an upper extremity illness. Methods The short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, the 5-question version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, the 4-question version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire–2, and an ordinal pain scale were completed by 135 patients both in the office and the next day over the phone. We compared scores with repeated measures analysis of variance and Pearson correlation. We used intraclass correlation coefficients to test the level of agreement. Results There were small but significant differences between paper and phone administration of the short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores and pain scores, but not the Patient Health Questionnaire–2, Short Health Anxiety Inventory–5, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale–4. There was a large Pearson correlation and excellent intraclass correlation coefficient agreement, as well. Conclusions Shorter questionnaires can be used to assess disability and psychological factors by phone. Phone administration of measures of disability and psychological factors can replace paper administration in studies that do not require in-person examination. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic I.
Indirect measurements of Fermi surface parameters of some Chevrel phase materials

A series of measurements of normal state and superconducting properties were made in zero and in high magnetic fields. When these results are combined with a complete set of theoretical expressions, a number of Fermi surface parameters are found.