cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistics of sexual size dimorphism

Abstract In comparative studies of sexual size dimorphism (SSD), the methods used to quantify dimorphism are controversial. SSD is commonly expressed as a ratio between species mean values of males and females, such as M/F or (M−F)/([M+F]/2), but a number of investigators have suggested that ratios should not be used, mainly because their distributions usually violate the assumptions of parametric statistical tests, or because they lead to spurious relationships that invalidate the interpretation and statistical significance of regressions and correlations. As an alternative to ratios, the comparative study of SSD can be conducted by a combination of regression with sex-specific data and residuals from this regression. Twenty-five data sets were selected from the literature and used to duplicate a variety of statistical procedures commonly employed in studies of SSD. All analyses were repeated with five different ratios and with methods that avoid the calculation of any ratios. These data and a review of the statistical properties of ratios and residuals indicate that: (1) most of the ratios used in the SSD literature are unnecessary, and several commonly used ratios are statistically inferior to others. Only two ratios are needed, one on a logarithmic scale and one on a linear scale; (2) there is no problem with spurious correlation or non-normality when ratios are used in several types of statistical procedures commonly employed in studies of SSD; (3) residuals cannot replace ratios for the evaluation of many questions regarding the pattern of SSD among species; and (4) residuals usually are used incorrectly, leading to misspecified regression equations. Most of the questions for which residuals are used should be addressed by multiple regression. These results apply to studies using comparative methods with or without adjustments for phylogenetic effects.
Theia: Simple and Cheap Networking for Ultra-Dense Data Centers

Recent trends to pack data centers with more CPUs per rack have led to a scenario in which each individual rack may contain hundreds, or even thousands, of compute nodes using system-on-chip (SoC) architectures. At this increased scale, traditional rack-level star topologies with a top-of-rack (ToR) switch as the hub and servers as the leaves are no longer feasible in terms of monetary cost, physical space, and oversubscription. We propose Theia, an architecture to connect hundreds of SoC nodes within a rack, using inexpensive, low-latency, hardware elements to group the rack's servers into subsets which we term SubRacks. We then replace the traditional per-rack ToR with a low-latency, passive, circuit-style patch panel that interconnects these SubRacks. We explore alternatives for the rack-level topology implemented by this patch panel, and we consider approaches for interconnecting racks within a data center. Finally, we investigate options for routing over these new topologies. Our proposal of Theia is unique in that it offers the flexibility of a packet-switched networking over a fixed circuit topology.
Role of Dopamine D1 Receptors in the Activation of Nucleus Accumbens Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) by Cocaine-Paired Contextual Cues

Exposure to drug-paired cues can trigger addicts to relapse into drug seeking. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying cue-elicited cocaine seeking are incompletely understood, the protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is known to have an important role. Psychostimulants and their associated cues can activate ERK in medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens core (AcbC). These medium spiny neurons can be classified according to their projections (to ventral pallidum and/or substantia nigra) and by their mRNA expression. The present experiments were designed to determine which distinct set of AcbC projection neurons expresses phosphorylated ERK (pERK) in response to cocaine-paired contextual cues. Combined use of the retrograde label Flurogold with immunohistochemical staining of pERK was used to show that the AcbC pERK accompanying preference for cocaine-paired contexts occurs in both the accumbens (Acb)-nigral and Acb-pallidal projections. The gene expression characteristics of the neurons expressing pERK in response to cocaine-paired cues was further investigated using combined in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry to show that AcbC pERK+ cells correspond to D1, but not preproenkephalin, mRNA+ cells. Furthermore, intra-AcbC infusion of the D1-antagonist SCH23390 attenuated cue-induced AcbC pERK expression. In aggregate, these results indicate that (i) the D1-expressing AcbC neurons evidence long-term plasticity related to drug-cue memories and (ii) local dopamine D1 receptors are necessary for the expression of cocaine-paired cue-induced pERK in these AcbC neurons.
The homotetrameric phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase from Methanosarcina mazei exhibits half-of-the-sites activity.

Synthesis of cysteinyl-tRNACys in methanogenic archaea proceeds by a two-step pathway in which tRNACys is first aminoacylated with phosphoserine by phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase (SepRS). Characterization of SepRS from the mesophile Methanosarcina mazei by gel filtration and nondenaturing mass spectrometry shows that the native enzyme exists as an α4 tetramer when expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli. However, active site titrations monitored by ATP/PPi burst kinetics, together with analysis of tRNA binding stoichiometry by fluorescence spectroscopy, show that the tetrameric enzyme binds two tRNAs and that only two of the four chemically equivalent subunits catalyze formation of phosphoseryl adenylate. Therefore, the phenomenon of half-of-the-sites activity, previously described for synthesis of 1 mol of tyrosyl adenylate by the dimeric class I tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, operates as well in this homotetrameric class II tRNA synthetase. Analysis of cognate and noncognate reactions by ATP/PPi and aminoacylation kinetics strongly suggests that SepRS is able to discriminate against the noncognate amino acids glutamate, serine, and phosphothreonine without the need for a separate hydrolytic editing site. tRNACys binding to SepRS also enhances the capacity of the enzyme to discriminate among amino acids, indicating the existence of functional connectivity between the tRNA and amino acid binding sites of the enzyme.
Human islet amyloid polypeptide gene: complete nucleotide sequence, chromosomal localization, and evolutionary history.

The gene-encoding human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), a recently discovered 37 amino acid hormone-like polypeptide which is expressed in the insulin-producing β-cells of the endocrine pancreas, has been isolated and characterized. The coding region of the gene is interrupted in the 5′-untranslated region and NH2-terminal propeptide by introns of 330 and 4808 base pairs (bp), respectively. Exon 1 (104 bp) encodes most of the 5′-untranslated region of the mRNA; exon 2 (95 bp) encodes 15 nucleotides of 5′-untranslated region, the putative 22 amino acid signal peptide and five residues of the NH2-terminal propeptide; exon 3 (1246 bp) encodes the remainder of the NH2-terminal propeptide (residues 6–9), the IAPP moiety and its processing signals and the 16 amino acid COOH-terminal propeptide, as well as the 3′-untranslated region of the mRNA (1059 bp). Analysis of the nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of intron 2 of the hIAPP gene did not reveal any homology with the structurally related calcito...
Association between endothelial cell proliferation and pathologic changes in experimental alcoholic liver disease.

Abstract We evaluated the role of endothelial cell (EC) proliferation in experimental alcoholic liver disease (ALD) using different dietary models of ALD. Rats were divided into treatment groups to receive ethanol with either corn oil (CO + E), fish oil (FO + E), saturated fat (SF + E), and corn oil with a novel quinone derivative (E3330) and cimetidine. All ethanol-fed rats in the different groups were pair-fed with dextrose replacing the ethanol-derived calories. All ethanol-fed groups and their controls were fed for periods ranging from 1 to 4 weeks. For each animal, immunocytochemical staining for PCNA was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections and the number of endothelial cells staining for PCNA per 10 high-power fields (HPF) was determined. Rats fed CO + E and FO + E developed pathological changes, whereas none of the histologic features of ALD were seen in SF + E rats. The severity of injury was reduced in the quinone and cimetidine-treated groups. A higher rate of EC proliferation (6–30×) was seen in the SF + E group (no liver injury) than in the CO + E and FO + E groups (pathologic changes present). The difference was evident by 1 week, which is well before pathologic changes can be recognized (usually 4 weeks). An increase in EC proliferation was seen in the E3330 and cimetidine-treated groups. Our study indicates that the proliferative response of EC in ethanol-fed rats may be a factor in the progression to liver injury. Suppression of ethanol-induced EC proliferation in CO + E and FO + E groups occurred prior to development of liver injury; a lack of suppression of EC proliferation is associated with absence (SF + E and CO + E + cimetidine) or reduction in severity (CO + E + E3330) of liver injury.
Dynamics of the fractional oscillator

Abstract The integral equation of motion of a simple harmonic oscillator is generalized by taking the integral to be of arbitrary order according to the methods of fractional calculus to yield the equation of motion of a fractional oscillator. The solution is obtained in terms of Mittag–Leffler functions using Laplace transforms. The expressions for the generalized momentum and the total energy of the fractional oscillator are also obtained. Numerical application and the phase plane representation of the dynamics are discussed.
Use Of Expert Systems In Photolithography

Expert systems for photolithography or photolithography-related domains are being built by many semiconductor chip manufacturers, fabrication equipment manufacturers, and university groups. This paper describes several such applications for process control, diagnosis, automation, design, simulation, planning, and scheduling. Benefits and implementation issues are highlighted.
A Support Group for Parents of Children with Motor-Learning Difficulties:

This article is a description of the development of a support group for parents of children with motor-learning difficulties. It outlines the identification of a need; the early planning, administr...
The Perceived Elimination of Affirmative Action and the Strengthening of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Researchers have asserted that historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have theoretically emerged from a social contract between emancipated Blacks and America. Although these institutions have facilitated access to higher education, they have been neglected and underfunded compared to their historically White counterparts. Notwithstanding their significance, fewer African Americans are accessing these institutions, prompted by governmental initiatives, such as financial aid, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and affirmative action. As affirmative action seems to face demise, a mass of Black students may rely on HBCUs to access higher education. As such, HBCUs should advocate for funding equity to better serve the plausible influx of students and to reaffirm the social contract from which they originated.
Effective interaction for N=50 isotones.

Standard shell-model techniques of constructing and diagonalizing Hamiltonians in finite Hilbert spaces have been used to treat the N=50 isotones with an expanded model space and a new empirical effective interaction. A vector space with active 0${f}_{5/2}$, 1${p}_{3/2}$, 1${p}_{1/2}$, and 0${g}_{9/2}$ proton orbits is used to model the low-lying excitations of these nuclei. The effective interaction is obtained by varying 35 parameters, distributed over the 65 two-body matrix elements and four single particle energies of the model space, to fit over 170 experimental energy levels in nuclei from $^{82}\mathrm{Ge}$ through $^{96}\mathrm{Pd}$. Nearly all of the experimental level energies of N=50 nuclei involved in the fit are well reproduced by the final interaction.
Scanning probe magnetometry and nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging using nitrogen-vacancy spins in diamond

We have developed a scanning nitrogen-vacancy center magnetometer with unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution, which operates under ambient conditions. Here we present measurements using such a magnetometer to magnetically image a single electron spin.
Selective imitation for a private sign system.

Abstract A distinctive feature of all human languages is the diverse and arbitrary nature of the sign (signifier). This can be interpreted as stating that the mapping between signals and referents is established by convention rather than by functional constraints. This property of the sign provides for a great deal of linguistic flexibility and is a key component of symbolic communication. Game theoretic models to describe signal imitation are investigated with a view to understanding how non-arbitrary (indexical) animal-style signals might ‘evolve’ culturally into diverse, arbitrary signs. I explore the evolutionary hypothesis that private, arbitrary signs emerge as a result of selective imitation within a socially structured population. Once arbitrary signs have emerged, they contribute towards greater assortative interactions among individuals using a shared sign system. In natural populations, the models for imitation will very often be close kin. Hence, kinship provides one mechanism for the creation of true symbols. An imitation-structured population can support many more sign systems than an equivalent non-structured population and is one in which symbols become the dominant force in assortative interactions.
Nonperturbative Landau gauge and infrared critical exponents in QCD

We discuss Faddeev-Popov quantization at the nonperturbative level and show that Gribov's prescription of cutting off the functional integral at the Gribov horizon does not change the Schwinger-Dyson equations, but rather resolves an ambiguity in the solution of these equations. We note that Gribov's prescription is not exact, and we therefore turn to the method of stochastic quantization in its time-independent formulation, and recall the proof that it is correct at the nonperturbative level. The nonperturbative Landau gauge is derived as a limiting case, and it is found that it yields the Faddeev-Popov method in the Landau gauge with a cutoff at the Gribov horizon, plus a novel term that corrects for overcounting of Gribov copies inside the Gribov horizon. Nonperturbative but truncated coupled Schwinger-Dyson equations for the gluon and ghost propagators $D(k)$ and $G(k)$ in the Landau gauge are solved asymptotically in the infrared region. The infrared critical exponents or anomalous dimensions, defined by $D(k)\ensuremath{\sim}{1/(k}^{2}{)}^{{1+a}_{D}}$ and $G(k)\ensuremath{\sim}{1/(k}^{2}{)}^{{1+a}_{G}},$ are obtained in space-time dimensions $d=2,$ 3, 4. Two possible solutions are obtained with the values, in $d=4$ dimensions, ${a}_{G}=1,$ ${a}_{D}=\ensuremath{-}2,$ or ${a}_{G}=(93\ensuremath{-}\sqrt{1201})/98\ensuremath{\approx}0.595353,$ ${a}_{D}=\ensuremath{-}{2a}_{G}.$
Fuzzy sensors: the development of inexpensive structurally compatible sensor elements

Many of the sensor technologies considered for integration into "smart" materials systems have beenadopted from a host of other applications. Consider, for example, fiber optics; these materials wereoriginally designed for telecommunication and have since been modified to serve as effective sensor
Crystal structure of TB-RBP, a novel RNA-binding and regulating protein.

The testis/brain-RNA-binding protein (TB-RBP) spatially and temporally controls the expression of specific mRNAs in developing male germ cells and brain cells, and is implicated in DNA recombination and repair events. We report the 2.65 A crystal structure of mouse TB-RBP. The structure is predominantly α-helical and exhibits a novel protein fold and mode of assembly. Crystal symmetry and molecular symmetry combine to form an octet of TB-RBP monomers in the shape of an elongated spherical particle with a large cavity at its center. Amino acid residues that affect RNA and DNA binding are located on the interior surface of the assembled particle, and a putative nucleotide-binding domain that controls RNA binding is located at a dimer interface. Other modes of assembly are suggested for TB-RBP based on our structure and recently reported electron microscopic reconstructions of human TB-RBP.
The septins: Roles in cytokinesis and other processes

The septins are a novel family of proteins that were first recognized in yeast as proteins associated with the neck filaments. Recent work has shown that septins are also present in other fungi, insects, and vertebrates. Despite the apparent differences in modes of cytokinesis amongst species, septins appear to be essential for this process in both fungal and animal cells. The septins also appear to be involved in various other aspects of the organization of the cell surface.
STUDIES OF SPERMATOGENESIS IN THE HEPATICAE: I. Ultrastructure of the Vierergruppe in Marchantia

Spermatids of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha were shown by analysis of thin-sections to contain a four-layered organelle, the Vierergruppe, lying between the flagellar bases above and a subjacent mitochondrial body. The uppermost layer consists of parallel tubules structurally similar to those of the axoneme. Some of the tubules extend beyond the four-layered region to form a long ribbon-like appendage. The second layer consists of low, vertical, membranous fins connected by numerous short links to the tubules above. The third layer, limited above and below by two horizontal membranes, consists of vertical partitions, apparently continuous with the fins. The fourth and lowermost layer consists of narrow parallel tubules aligned beneath alternate partitions. The long axes of the lower three layers are parallel to each other and lie at an angle of 48° to the tubule axis of the uppermost stratum. A graphic representation of a three-dimensional scale model interpreting organelle structure is given. The Vierergruppe supersedes Dreiergruppe interpretation in most if not all of the bryophytes studied to date.
Acute mastoiditis following pseudomonas maltophilia infection: case report.

Acute mastoiditis is now an uncommon finding. The early use of the various antibiotics has made surgical mastoiditis a rarity. A comparatively new pathogen “Pseudomonas maltophilia” was the causative organism in this case. Pseudomonas maltophilia responds only to Garamycin and Polymixin B. Unless one of these two antibiotics is used in its treatment, it will continue to cause a severe infection.
Genome evolution in an ancient bacteria-ant symbiosis: parallel gene loss among Blochmannia spanning the origin of the ant tribe Camponotini

Stable associations between bacterial endosymbionts and insect hosts provide opportunities to explore genome evolution in the context of established mutualisms and assess the roles of selection and genetic drift across host lineages and habitats. Blochmannia, obligate endosymbionts of ants of the tribe Camponotini, have coevolved with their ant hosts for ∼40 MY. To investigate early events in Blochmannia genome evolution across this ant host tribe, we sequenced Blochmannia from two divergent host lineages, Colobopsis obliquus and Polyrhachis turneri, and compared them with four published genomes from Blochmannia of Camponotus sensu stricto. Reconstructed gene content of the last common ancestor (LCA) of these six Blochmannia genomes is reduced (690 protein coding genes), consistent with rapid gene loss soon after establishment of the symbiosis. Differential gene loss among Blochmannia lineages has affected cellular functions and metabolic pathways, including DNA replication and repair, vitamin biosynthesis and membrane proteins. Blochmannia of P. turneri (i.e., B. turneri) encodes an intact DnaA chromosomal replication initiation protein, demonstrating that loss of dnaA was not essential for establishment of the symbiosis. Based on gene content, B. obliquus and B. turneri are unable to provision hosts with riboflavin. Of the six sequenced Blochmannia, B. obliquus is the earliest diverging lineage (i.e., the sister group of other Blochmannia sampled) and encodes the fewest protein-coding genes and the most pseudogenes. We identified 55 genes involved in parallel gene loss, including glutamine synthetase, which may participate in nitrogen recycling. Pathways for biosynthesis of coenzyme A, terpenoids and riboflavin were lost in multiple lineages, suggesting relaxed selection on the pathway after inactivation of one component. Analysis of Illumina read datasets did not detect evidence of plasmids encoding missing functions, nor the presence of coresident symbionts other than Wolbachia. Although gene order is strictly conserved in four Blochmannia of Camponotus sensu stricto, comparisons with deeply divergent lineages revealed inversions in eight genomic regions, indicating ongoing recombination despite ancestral loss of recA. In sum, the addition of two Blochmannia genomes of divergent host lineages enables reconstruction of early events in evolution of this symbiosis and suggests that Blochmannia lineages may experience distinct, host-associated selective pressures. Understanding how evolutionary forces shape genome reduction in this system may help to clarify forces driving gene loss in other bacteria, including intracellular pathogens.
Challenges in developing targeted therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy remains the cornerstone treatment for advanced pancreatic cancers. Research into the molecular pathogenesis of pancreatic cancers has allowed scientists to understand the complex heterogeneous signals associated with them. Targeting these pathways with chemical inhibitors could improve patient outcome. Objective: To describe the molecular heterogeneity typical of pancreatic cancers and to discuss targeted therapies in development, and the challenges facing these agents. Methods: We reviewed Pub Med. literature, clinical trial database (clinicaltrials.gov), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) websites. Conclusions: Molecular pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer involves multiple pathways and defined mutations. This molecular heterogeneity is a major reason for failure of targeted therapy. Targeting multiple oncogenic pathways using nove...
“Juvenile” retention polyps of the colon and rectum

This report analyzes a total of 124 “juvenile” retention polyps of the colon and rectum in 50 patients, 8 of whom were adults. Twenty-four percent of the patients had more than one polyp, but late recurrences were seen only in 2 patients with diffuse multiple polyposis. The development of carcinoma in a juvenile retention polyp is not recorded, either in the present series or in the literature. Unlike the adenomatous polyp, the juvenile retention polyp does not appear to be of neoplastic origin; it may represent a hamartomatous or inflammatory process.
A Hemodynamic Model for Relating Phasic Pressure and Flow in the Large Arteries

A model of arterial hemodynamics has been developed which encompasses both windkessel and pulse propagation effects and is intended to be valid over a wide range of physiological stresses including hemorrhage. Initial exploratory results suggest that the model has considerable potential for application to the hemodynamic manipulation of research animals and to clinical monitoring.
Reservoir Characterization of Marine and Permafrost Associated Gas Hydrate Accumulations with Downhole Well Logs

: Gas volumes that may be attributed to a gas hydrate accumulation depend on a number of reservoir parameters, one of which, gas-hydrate saturation, can be assessed with data obtained from downhole well-logging devices. This study demonstrates that electrical resistivity and acoustic transit-time downhole log data can be used to quantify the amount of gas hydrate in a sedimentary section. Two unique forms of the Archie relation (standard and quick look relations) have been used in this study to calculate water saturations (Sw) [gas-hydrate saturation (Sh) is equal to (1.0 −Sw)] from the electrical resistivity log data in four gas hydrate accumulations. These accumulations are located on (1) the Blake Ridge along the Southeastern continental margin of the United States, (2) the Cascadia continental margin off the Pacific coast of Canada, (3) the North Slope of Alaska, and (4) the Mackenzie River Delta of Canada. Compressional wave acoustic log data have also been used in conjunction with the Timur, modified Wood, and the Lee weighted average acoustic equations to calculate gas-hydrate saturations in all four areas assessed.
Epidural versus General Anesthesia: Does Anesthetic Management Influence Early Infrainguinal Graft Thrombosis?

A few contemporary reports have suggested that the use of epidural anesthesia may favorably influence early graft patency in patients undergoing infrainguinal revascularization. In order to test this hypothesis, we have retrospectively reviewed our experience with 303 primary femoropopliteal-tibial bypass procedures in 294 patients from January 1989 through June 1994. A total of 145 of these operations were done underepidural anesthesia (EA) and 158 under general anesthesia (GA); the demographic profiles for the patients in both of these groups were nearly identical. Thirteen patients (4.2%) died during the perioperative period (EA 3.4%, GA 5.0%; p = 0.48). Early graft thrombosis occurred in 35 patients (12%) during the same hospital admission (EA 14%, GA 9.4%; p = 0.28). There were no significant differences in the graft thrombosis rates for EA and GA with respect to surgical indications (claudication versus limb salvage), graft materials (vein versus synthetic), or the extent of revascularization (popliteal versus crural). Most graft failures appeared to be related to such conventional factors as disadvantaged outflow vessels and/or specific technical complications. Therefore, we conclude that the choice between EA and GA should continue to be made selectively on the basis of traditional anesthetic considerations.
Liver biopsy assessment in chronic viral hepatitis: a personal, practical approach

The terminology for assessment of chronic viral hepatitis in liver biopsy specimens has become confusing with the proliferation of grading and staging schemes that have paralleled the rise of the hepatitis C epidemic and the importance of mixed viral infections. This review represents a personal approach to the interpretation of these biopsy specimens, aiming at clarifying and simplifying the important points for the general pathologist confronted by these diagnostic dilemmas. The most commonly used schemes-Ishak modification of the Knodell 'hepatic activity index', Scheuer, Metavir, Batts-Ludwig classifications-are presented with evaluation of their pros and cons. Which scheme is selected is less important than the consistent use of a single scheme and the clear naming of that scheme in pathology reports. The importance and clinical implications of identifying severe necroinflammatory activity in the form of 'confluent necrosis' is discussed. Pathologists must also be clear about assessing concomitant diseases, in particular, alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and be aware that grading/staging schemes for chronic hepatitis do not apply to mixed disease conditions. Other important features to be evaluated in all chronic hepatitis biopsy specimens include iron (which may represent hereditary hemochromatosis or secondary uptake) and neoplasia-associated changes, namely large cell change and small cell change; these findings and their clinical import are updated and reviewed. Sample approaches to composing useful diagnostic reports are also presented.
Flow Analysis and Modeling of Field-Controllable, Electro- and Magneto-Rheological Fluid Dampers

This study combines a fluid mechanics-based approach and the Herschel-Bulkley constitutive equation to develop a theoretical model for predicting the behavior of field-controllable, magneto-rheological (MR), and electro-rheological (ER) fluid dampers. The goal is to provide an accurate theoretical model for analysis, design, and development of control algorithms of MR/ER dampers. Simplified explicit expressions for closed-form solution of the pressure drop across a MR fluid valve are developed. The Herschel-Bulkley quasi-steady flow analysis is extended to include the effect of fluid compressibility to account for the nonlinear dynamic behavior of MR/ER fluid dampers. The advantage of this model is that it only depends on geometric and material properties of the MR/ER material and the device. The theoretical results are validated by an experimental study. It is demonstrated that the proposed model can effectively predict the nonlinear behavior of field-controllable fluid dampers.
Implementing Experiential Learning Activities in a Large Enrollment Introductory Food Science and Human Nutrition Course

ABSTRACT: Experiential learning activities are often viewed as impractical, and potentially unfeasible, instructional tools to employ in a large enrollment course. Research has shown, though, that the metacognitive skills that students utilize while participating in experiential learning activities enable them to assess their true level of understanding and mastery of the subject matter. The objectives of this study were to (1) create and implement 2 experiential learning activities in our introductory, large enrollment course and (2) evaluate their cognitive and affective impact on student learning. For the 1st activity, completed in class during the nutrition and health section, the instructional team asked the students to complete a dietary intake assessment. For the 2nd activity, completed via the course website, the instructional team asked the students to complete a food safety survey prior to the commencement of the food microbiology and processing section to assess the students' own personal food safety behaviors. The students were asked to evaluate both the cognitive and affective aspects of the experiential learning activities by completing a reflective questionnaire after participating in each activity. The majority of the students that participated in the experiential learning activities reported that the activities helped them learn the course material (97% for the dietary intake activity and 77% for the food safety activity) and that they liked participating in the activity (85% for the dietary intake activity) or were engaged by the activity (77% for the food safety activity). These results indicate that experiential learning activities can be successfully created for and implemented in large enrollment courses.
Evaluation of possible long-term adverse consequences of radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways

Abstract Several recent publications have demonstrated a high success rate and few serious procedure-related acute complications with radiofrequency ablation of accessory atrioventricular (AV) pathways 1–3 However, the long-term consequences have not been well characterized. This procedure usually involves making 1 or more radiofrequency lesions at the accessory pathway's ventricular insertion site at the level of the AV groove. Segments of several of the major coronary arteries lie within the AV groove and could be damaged or thrombosed inadvertently by this procedure. Furthermore, each lesion creates a small scar that could be associated with new ventricular arrhythmias. 4 Because of these theoretic concerns, this study was designed to determine prospectively whether radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways causes the development of inducible or spontaneous ventricular tachycardia or chronic alterations of coronary arterv anatomy.
Culture and Vocabulary Acquisition: A Proposal

Two vital elements of effective communication in a foreign language, the understanding of the foreign culture and the acquisition of vocabulary in a cultural context, often receive inadequate or inappropriate attention in the classroom. The goal of this investigation and its proposal will be to provide concrete suggestions about the effective handling of time currently available in a curriculum which hopes to produce students who are able to communicate with a more sensitive control of linguistic and cultural subtleties. In order to address the question of culture linked with vocabulary acquisition in the classroom, I will first examine the problems in current research and classroom practice, and then delineate a proposal for the alleviation of the associated difficulties by modifying the existing notional/functional syllabus.
Tuberculosis Induced Changes to the Osseous Cranial Base and its Potential Effect on Hearing

Our prior work suggested that petro-occipital fissure (POF) ossification may be altered in clinicopathologies of the cranial base such as hearing loss (Balboni et al., 2005). Here we demonstrate an accelerated and statistically significant ossification of the POF and cochlear aqueduct (CA) in a historical population of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). While a number of studies have sought to reduce the importance of the POF/CA to hearing, given its anatomical location, evolutionary conservation across mammals and the mounting data linking morphological changes of the POF/CA to the temporal onset of hearing loss and tinnitus, it is becoming difficult to maintain that its function is not related to inner ear homeostasis.
The influence of use of different rates of mycorrhizal inoculum on root infection, plant growth, and phosphorus uptake

Abstract Sorghum and leek plants were used as hosts in order to test the effectiveness and infectiveness of four mycorrhizal species on spore production, plant growth and phosphorus (P) uptake. When sorghum was used as a test plant, Glomus mosseae, Glomus etunicatum, and Glomus caledonium, respectively, gave the highest number of spores, while on leek, G. etunicatum, G. mosseae, and G. caledonium, respectively, resulted in higher spore production. Glomus intraradices produced the least amount of inoculum among the four species. Based on relative spore production and root infection, G. mosseae and G. etunicatum were determined to be the two best fungi as sources of inoculum for further use in the experiment. It is very important to know the minimum amount of inoculum in order to reach the maximum percentage of infection. Thus different amounts of inoculum were applied to determine optimum rates of inoculation. Sorghum and leek plants were infected with 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 g G. mosseae and G. etunicatum of...
Angular Momentum Transfer by Tidally Forced Oscillations in Massive Main-Sequence Stars

We discuss angular momentum transfer by tidally forced oscillations (the dynamical tides) in a massive main-sequence star in a binary system. Because of the periodic gravitational disturbance by the orbital motion of the companion star, low-frequency global oscillations are excited as dynamical tides in the massive main-sequence star. We are mainly interested in the case where the orbital motion of the companion star is in resonance with low-order quadrupole g-modes of the main-sequence star. Dissipation mechanisms associated with nonaxisymmetric oscillations are known to play essential roles in angular momentum transfer in stars
Characterization and Design of Digital Pointing Subsystem for Optical Communication Demonstrator

The Optical Communications Demonstrator (OCD) is a laboratory-based lasercom demonstration terminal designed to validate several key technologies, including beacon acquisition, high bandwidth tracking, precision bearn pointing, and point-ahead compensation functions. It has been under active development over the past few years. The instrument uses a CCD array detector for both spatial acquisition and high-bandwidth tracking, and a fiber coupled laser transmitter. The array detector tracking concept provides wide field-of-view acquisition and permits effective platform jitter compensation and point-ahead control using only one steering mirror. This paper describes the detailed design and characterization of the digital control loop system which includes the Fast Steering Mirror (FSM), the CCD image tracker, and the associated electronics. The objective is to improve the overall system performance using laboratory measured data. The. design of the digital control loop is based on a linear time invariant open loop model. The closed loop performance is predicted using the theoretical model. With the digital filter programmed into the OCD control software, data is collected to verify the predictions. This paper presents the results of the, system modeling and performance analysis. It has been shown that measurement data closely matches theoretical predictions. An important part of the laser communication experiment is the ability of FSM to track the laser beacon within the. required tolerances. The pointing must be maintained to an accuracy that is much smaller than the transmit signal beamwidth. For an earth orbit distance, the system must be able to track the receiving station to within a few microradians. The failure. to do so will result in a severely degraded system performance.
Statistical Analysis on Detecting Recombination Sites in DNA-β Satellites Associated with Old World Geminiviruses

Although exchange of genetic information by recombination plays an important role in the evolution of viruses, it is not clear how it generates diversity. Understanding recombination events helps with the study of the evolution of new virus strains or new viruses. Geminiviruses are plant viruses which have ambisense single-stranded circular DNA genomes and are one of the most economically important plant viruses in agricultural production. Small circular single-stranded DNA satellites, termed DNA-beta, have recently been found to be associated with some geminivirus infections. In this paper we analyze several DNA-beta sequences of geminiviruses for recombination events using phylogenetic and statistical analysis and we find that one strain from ToLCMaB has a recombination pattern and is a recombinant molecule between two strains from two species, PaLCuB-[IN:Chi:05] (major parent) and ToLCB-[IN:CP:04] (minor parent). We propose that this recombination event contributed to the evolution of the strain of ToLCMaB in South India. The Hidden Markov Chain (HMM) method developed by Wedd et al estimating phylogenetic tree through out the whole alignment provide us a recombination history of these DNA-beta strains. It is the first time that this statistic method has been used on DNA-beta recombination study and give a clear recombination history of DNA-beta recombination.
Development of Calcium Phosphate Mineralized Silk for Potential Use in Guided Bone Regeneration: Preparation and Properties

Silk has been used in biomedical applications for centuries. The potential of silk for application in tissue engineering is currently being explored. The purpose of this study was to develop new method of mineralizing silk with carbonate apatite and determine cell response. The cocoons were placed in sodium bicarbonate solution and heat treated. The treated silk fibers were mineralized with carbonate apatite (CHA) using precipitation and new microwave methods. The mineralized and non-mineralized silks were characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, and TGA. Cell response to mineralized silk and non-mineralized silk was determined using human osteoblast like cells (MG-63). The microwave method was more efficient than the precipitation method in terms of the amount of minerals incorporated with the silk and time required for mineralization. EDS, FT-IR and XRD identified CHA in the mineralized silk. In terms of cell response, greater production of type 1 collagen was observed with CHA mineralized silk compared with non-mineralized silk.
Charged particle angular correlations from leading photons at RHIC

Abstract We report on the observation of jet-like azimuthal and pseudorapidity correlations between the highest PT photon (leading photon) and charged hadrons produced in both p-p and Au Au collisions at S N N = 200 GeV.
Regularity of the transverse crack spacing in a damaged laminate

Abstract In evaluating elastic constants for a damaged laminate, the assumption is often made that transverse matrix cracks are equally spaced. To investigate the plausibility of this assumption, an analytical expression for the probability density function of the next failure location in a region of the cross-ply laminate bounded by two existing transverse matrix cracks is derived. The derivation employs the method developed by Oh and Finney for modeling the characteristics of the location of failure in conjunction with a shear-lag solution for the stress state in a transversely cracked layer of a multi-ply laminate. In exercising this model, it is found that the assumption of regularly spaced transverse matrix cracks becomes more plausible as the crack density increases (crack spacing decreases).
Successful Treatment of Recalcitrant Warts with Topical Squaric Acid in Immunosuppressed Child

Although spontaneous resolution of verrucous vulgaris is the norm, many treatment modalities are available including local destruction, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and sensitizing agents. The choice of treatment will vary with patient's age and desire for treatment, prior treatments, potential side effects, location of lesions, and patient's immune status. Treatment of verruca vulgaris in immunosuppressed patients presents therapeutic challenges as lesions in this population are often refractory to conventional modalities. Here we present a case of successful treatment of recalcitrant warts with topical squaric acid in an immunosuppressed child.
Inhibition of myointimal proliferation of the rat carotid artery by the peptides, angiopeptin and BIM 23034☆

Abstract Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle is an early and major event in the formation of an atherosclerotic lesion. Here we report for the first time the inhibitory effects on myointimal proliferation of the rat carotid artery by a synthetic peptide, angiopeptin, and its closely related congener, BIM 23034. Proliferation was initiated in the carotid artery of anesthetized rats by air-drying of the endothelium. After 15 days the rats were killed and the carotid artery was pressure-fixed and subjected to morphologic analysis for evaluation of the degree of myointimal thickening. Five synthetic somatostatin-like peptides were tested by pretreating rats (20 and 50 μg/kg/rat s.c. daily) for 2 days prior to and for 5 days after the endothelial injury. Angiopeptin and the closely related octapeptide (BIM 23034) significantly inhibited myointimal thickening. Angiopeptin was also effective when the pretreatment period was reduced from 2 days to 30 min. The inhibitory effect of angiopeptin was further confirmed in an additional experiment involving [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation. In this experiment angiopeptin (100 μg/kg/day s.c.) was also administered for 2 days prior to and five days following the endothelial injury and it significantly inhibited thymidine uptake. All the peptides tested inhibit the release of growth hormone. However, only angiopeptin and BIM 23034 inhibited myointimal proliferation. Thus the effect of angiopeptin and its congener is unlikely to be mediated through growth hormone. Since angiopeptin inhibits myointimal proliferation it may have clinical utility in preventing restenosis following angioplasty and coronary artery by-pass procedures.
Predicting Hydrodynamic and Heat Transfer Effects of Sparger Geometry and Placement Within a Column Photobioreactor Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

This research investigates the effects of the sparger on flow patterns and heat transfer within a column photobioreactor (PBR) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study compares two types of spargers: a porous membrane, which occupies the entire floor of the reactor, and a single sparger, which is located along the centerline of the PBR floor. The PBR is modeled using the Lagrangian–Eulerian approach. The objective of this research is to predict the performance of PBRs using CFD models, which can be used to improve the design of PBRs used to grow microalgae that are used to produce biofuels and bioproducts.
Pageťs disease of the nipple. Alternative management in cases without or with minimal extent of underlying breast carcinoma

Six cases of Paget's disease of the nipple without clinical or mammographic evidence of a breast mass are described, two without underlying carcinoma of duct origin, and four with very limited duct carcinoma in situ of the most distal lactiferous ducts. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies on these cases demonstrate that Paget cells arise in situ and invalidate the prevalent "epidermotropic" theory of histogenesis. Paget's disease of the nipple is considered to be an independent in situ carcinoma and part of the general phenomenon of multicentricity in breast cancer. A therapeutic option of conservative surgical intervention and follow-up is described for five of these select patients, all of whom are presently without evidence of disease with an average follow-up of 50 months (range, 30-69 months).
Good designs for polynomial extrapolation

Abstract Designs for extrapolation to one side of the observation interval in polynomial regression are studied under the criterion of integrated variance with respect to a probability measure μ. Although it is shown that unrestricted optimal designs are supported at the Chebyshev oscillation points only if μ is supported at a single point, asymptotics and numerical comparisons suggest that designs optimal in the class supported on the Chebyshev oscillation points are quite good.