cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Longitudinal Study of Income Differences in the Height-BMI Relation among U.S. Children Ages 6 to 14.

Previous work has shown a positive height-obesity association in U.S. children that is more pronounced in those from lower-income families than in those from higher-income families. That work has been limited to cross-sectional analysis. This study evaluates income differentials in the inter-temporal associations between childhood height and obesity in U.S. children ages 6 to 14. Pooled samples of 9,670 female and 10,110 male children from the U.S. Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K) were evaluated in multilevel mixed effects models. The results indicated a modest height-income interaction such that the concurrent height-obesity association was weaker at higher incomes. This strengthened into adolescence for females and weakened for males. With respect to height growth, for lower-income males, being shorter before the typical start of the growth spurt (≈ 9 years) and experiencing faster later growth (between 11 and 14 years) were attributes less strongly associated with subsequent obesity. There were no indicated income interactions with height growth in females.
Characterization Of Vif Domains That Mediate Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Antagonism Of APOBEC3-H And APOBEC3-CH Restriction

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) Vif mediates degradation of two anti-lentiviral feline APOBEC3 (fA3) proteins, fA3Z3 and fA3Z2bZ3. HIV-1 Vif targets the restriction factor human APOBEC3G (A3G, hA3Z2g-Z1c) for proteasome degradation to mediate viral evasion. Despite this similarity, FIV and HIV-1 Vif share limited homology. Vif binds hA3Z2g-Z1c through its N-terminal region, while its C-terminal region binds to an E3-ligase complex containing Cullin5 and Elongin B/C. Further, HIV-1 Vif contains critical domains in its C-terminus, including an adjacent BC box, the only shared domain between FIV and HIV-1 Vif, and a non-classical zinc finger (HCCH) domain. Felid lentivirus Vif, however, contains a highly conserved KCCC motif. While both Vifs have evolved to counteract select A3 antiretroviral proteins, the FIV Vif domains necessary to target fA3s for degradation are incompletely understood. To identify these domains, we used the well-characterized HIV-1 Vif domains to show that distinct mutations within the BC box of FIV Vif prevent fA3Z3 and fA3Z2bZ3 degradation and reduce virion infectivity. We also found that mutating any single residue in the KCCC motif blocked fA3 targeting and impaired FIV infectivity and replication. These mutations also failed to disrupt the FIV Vif and Cullin5 interaction. Further, we showed that, in contrast to the HCCH domain in HIV-1 Vif, the KCCC domain of FIV Vif does not bind zinc. However, unlike HIV-1 Vif, FIV Vif (C36 isolate) reduces intracellular levels of co-expressed Cullin5 proteins, a novel finding. Our results reveal important C-terminal residues in FIV Vif and show that the BC box and KCCC regions are critical for fA3 degradation, infectivity, and spreading replication.
Treatment of Spontaneous Ringworm in Mice with Griseofulvin

During attempts to produce protracted experimental dermatomycosis in mice, spontaneous ringworm was encountered fairly frequently in older C-57 black mice. Since the final objective was an in vivo tool for testing fungicides, it was deemed of interest to observe the effects of the new internal medicament for superficial fungus infections-i.e., griseofulvin, on the natural murine infection.
Air Pollution and Air Quality

Abstract Air pollution is degraded air quality caused by human activity, and it is responsible for millions of deaths per year worldwide. A dominant source is combustion, including fossil fuels. Pollution can be and has been controlled by either eliminating the source or adding after treatment to reduce the emissions. A major portion of pollution consists of fine particles, which also have a large and uncertain role in climate. In total, particles probably mask about one-third of long-term global warming, but possibly as much as half or very little. However, because a major source of the pollution and cause of mortality is fossil fuel combustion, as fossil carbon emissions are eliminated both the air pollution and climate harm will be curtailed. This connection presents an opportunity for creative solutions to both pressing problems.
Increased rates of atrial fibrillation recurrence following pulmonary vein isolation in overweight and obese patients

INTRODUCTION Catheter ablation is common for patients with symptomatic, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Obesity is a known risk factor for incident AF. The impact of obesity on AF ablation outcomes is incompletely understood. We sought to determine the impact of elevated body mass index (BMI) on pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedural outcomes and associated complications. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated patients undergoing PVI from 2001 to 2015, dividing them into four groups: normal weight (BMI ≥ 18.5 to 30 to < 40), and morbidly obese (BMI ≥ 40). Demographic and procedural characteristics, complications, and ablation outcomes were compared among groups. A total of 701 patients (146 time-matched controls, 227 overweight, 244 obese, and 84 morbidly obese) with complete demographic, procedural, and follow-up data were included. Increasing BMI correlated positively with HTN, OSA, CHA2 DS2 -VASC score, and persistent AF (P ≤ 0.001 for all associations). Radiofrequency application time and intraprocedural heparin dose increased with BMI (P ≤ 0.001). Arrhythmia recurrence at 1 year was 39.9% in controls, while higher in all high-BMI groups (overweight, 51.3%; obese, 57%; morbidly obese, 58.1 %; P = 0.007 for all versus controls). Impact of BMI on AF recurrence was not seen in persistent AF patients. Complication rates across groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS AF recurrence after catheter ablation is higher in overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients comparing to normal-weight controls, driven primarily by outcomes differences in paroxysmal AF patients. Complications were not associated with increased BMI.
Mental health disorders mediate association of sexual minority identity with cardiovascular disease.

Abstract Background Little is known about cardiovascular health disparities for lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) persons and whether these disparities are mediated by mental health disorders due to sexual minority stress. We hypothesize LGB identity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and that major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) may mediate this association. Methods The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions is a longitudinal, nationally-representative study of non-institutionalized U.S. adults. We cross-sectionally analyzed the second wave data (2004–2005) comparing 577 self-identified LGB persons to 33,598 heterosexuals. Multiple logistic regression modeling and mediation analysis (the product of coefficients approach) were performed. Results LGB persons had significantly higher CVD prevalence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2–1.9], and were more likely to be diagnosed with MDD (AOR: 1.9, 1.8–2.1), GAD (AOR: 2.2, 1.9–2.4), or co-occurring MDD and GAD (AOR: 2.2, 2.0–2.5). MDD, GAD, and co-occurrence of MDD and GAD significantly mediated 14.3%, 22.2%, and 33.3% of the association of LGB status with increased CVD prevalence, respectively. Conclusions Our findings identified a 50% increased CVD prevalence among LGB persons and this increased risk was mediated in part by MDD and GAD, both being more prevalent in sexual minority adults.
T-Cell Receptor Purification

The antigen receptor expressed on most T-lymphocytes (T-cell antigen receptor [TCR]) is a multisubunit complex consisting of at least six different polypeptides (α, β, γ, δ, ɛ, and ζ), several of which are modified by addition of N-linked oligosaccharide chains Oligosaccharide side chains on TCR glycoproteins undergo well-characterized processing events within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi systems, including removal of mannose residues and subsequent addition of galactose and sialic acid oligosaccharides. In the current chapter, a method is described for the isolation of immature and mature TCR complexes from murine T-lymphocytes using lectin affinity chromatography This technique is rapid, sensitive, and does not disrupt the integrity of assembled TCR complexes.
Treatment of Hand Veins with Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is not a new science, but has evolved into a more exact and effective way to shrink aesthetically undesirable veins, including those of the dorsum of the hand. The technique for treating hand veins by sclerotherapy is similar to the technique for treating leg veins.1
The Thermal Boundary Resistance

This paper will provide a brief introduction to the intriguing problem of the Kapitza thermal boundary resistance (RB), and will serve as background material for the contributions to this topic being presented at this conference.
Challenges in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis has diverse clinical phenotypes and outcomes that challenge current diagnostic criteria and management algorithms.
The slow dynamics of mycoplasma infections in a tortoise host reveal heterogeneity pertinent to pathogen transmission and monitoring

The epidemiology of infectious diseases depends on many characteristics of disease progression, as well as the consistency of these processes across hosts. Longitudinal studies of infection can thus inform disease monitoring and management, but can be challenging in wildlife, particularly for long-lived hosts and persistent infections. Numerous tortoise species of conservation concern can be infected by pathogenic mycoplasmas that cause a chronic upper respiratory tract disease (URTD). Yet, a lack of detailed data describing tortoise responses to mycoplasma infections obscures our understanding of URTDs role in host ecology. We therefore monitored Mycoplasma agassizii infections in 14 captive desert tortoises and characterised clinical signs of disease, infection intensity, pathogen shedding and antibody production for nearly 4 years after initial exposure to donor hosts. Persistent infections established in all exposed tortoises within 10 weeks, but hosts appeared to vary in resistance, which affected the patterns of pathogen shedding and apparent disease. Delays in host immune response and changes to clinical signs and infection intensity over time resulted in inconsistencies between diagnostic tools and changes in diagnostic accuracy throughout the study. We discuss the implications these results have for URTD epidemiology and past and future research assessing disease prevalence and dynamics in tortoise populations.
Developing expertise: architecture and real estate in Metropolitan America

Developing Expertise takes a fresh look in examining the morphology of the built environment in the United States. While Sara Stevens is not the first historian to address the role real estate deve...
A single amino acid distorts the Fc γ receptor IIIb/CD16b structure upon binding immunoglobulin G1 and reduces affinity relative to CD16a.

Therapeutic mAbs engage Fc γ receptor III (CD16) to elicit a protective cell-mediated response and destroy the target tissue. Newer drugs designed to bind CD16a with increased affinity surprisingly also elicit protective CD16b-mediated responses. However, it is unclear why IgG binds CD16a with more than 10-fold higher affinity than CD16b even though these receptors share more than 97% identity. Here we identified one residue, Gly-129, that contributes to the greater IgG binding affinity of CD16a. The CD16b variant D129G bound IgG1 Fc with 2-fold higher affinity than CD16a and with 90-fold higher affinity than the WT. Conversely, the binding affinity of CD16a-G129D was decreased 128-fold relative to WT CD16a and comparably to that of WT CD16b. The interaction of IgG1 Fc with CD16a, but not with CD16b, is known to be sensitive to the composition of the asparagine-linked carbohydrates (N-glycans) attached to the receptor. CD16a and CD16b-D129G displaying minimally processed oligomannose N-glycans bound to IgG1 Fc with about 5.2-fold increased affinity compared with variants with highly processed complex-type N-glycans. CD16b and the CD16a-G129D variant exhibited a smaller 1.9-fold affinity increase with oligomannose N-glycans. A model of glycosylated CD16b bound to IgG1 Fc determined to 2.2 A resolution combined with a 250-ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulation showed that the larger Asp-129 residue deformed the Fc-binding surface. These results reveal how Asp-129 in CD16b affects its binding affinity for IgG1 Fc and suggest that antibodies engineered to engage CD16b with high affinity must accommodate the Asp-129 side chain.
Efficient, Consistent Distributed Computation with Predictive Treaties

To achieve good performance, modern applications often partition their state across multiple geographically distributed nodes. While this approach reduces latency in the common case, it can be challenging for programmers to use correctly, especially in applications that require strong consistency. We introduce predictive treaties, a mechanism that can significantly reduce distributed coordination without losing strong consistency. The central insight behind our approach is that many computations can be expressed in terms of predicates over distributed state that can be partitioned and enforced locally. Predictive treaties improve on previous work by allowing the locally enforced predicates to depend on time. Intuitively, by predicting the evolution of system state, coordination can be significantly reduced compared to static approaches. We implemented predictive treaties in a distributed system that exposes them in an intuitive programming model. We evaluate performance on several benchmarks, including TPC-C, showing that predictive treaties can significantly increase performance by orders of magnitude and can even outperform customized algorithms.
Using Herbs and Spices to Increase Vegetable Intake Among Rural Adolescents

Abstract Objective To test whether adding herbs and spices to school lunch vegetables increases selection and intake compared with lightly salted control versions among rural adolescents. Design This study compared intake of vegetables with herbs and spices with lightly salted controls (phase I) and tested whether 5 repeated exposures would increase students’ intake of herb and spice seasoned vegetables (phase II). Participants and Setting A total of 600–700 students at a rural middle/high school (age 11–18 years). Intervention In phase I, herbs and spices were added to 8 vegetables and outcomes were compared with 8 control recipes. In phase II, the impact of repeated exposure to herb and spice blends served on different vegetables was assessed. Main Outcomes Vegetable selection rates, weighed intake, and willingness to eat again. Analysis Two-way ANOVAs tested effects of condition (herbs and spices vs control; before vs after exposure) and age (middle vs high school) on selection and intake. Results In phase I, students ate more control than seasoned broccoli (P = .01), cauliflower (P = .006), and green beans (P = .01), and high schoolers generally consumed more seasoned vegetables than did middle schoolers (P Conclusions and Implications In a short-term intervention, herbs and spices did not produce robust increases in school lunch vegetable intake among rural adolescents, but limited repeat exposure may increase students’ willingness to consume these flavors. Additional work is needed to identify individual and school-level characteristics that affect students’ willingness to select and consume vegetables with herbs and spices.
The Electronic Health Record

There is good evidence that the experience of the electronic health record (EHR) is associated with a rising level of burnout and decreased professional satisfaction in physicians in the United States. With the proliferation of the EHR in physician practices and hospitals over the past 10 years, nearly all physicians have seen their usual methods of care disrupted, workflows changed, and balance of professional burdens shifted. Many factors contribute to this experience of EHRs, including the experience of undue clerical burden, loss in sense of autonomy, excessive time with computer interactions, fewer meaningful interactions, inadequate proficiency, and changing relationships with patients. Evidence is sparse for interventions that will specifically improve physician wellness. However, there is hope that the factors associated with a negative EHR experience can improve through technical evolution to improve the user experience, training of the physician workforce, advocacy to decrease clerical burden, and thoughtful utilization of team-based care.
Some Comments on the Labor-Management Law Applied to Plant Closures and Relocations

More than ever before, major employers in our society are relocating significant parts of their businesses. Often, one of the reasons for these changes is the presence of a labor organization. Whether or not a union is involved, however, the moves have a substantial impact on a wide variety of people and institutions. A question arises: Should the laws that concern themselves with labor - management relations address employer decisions to relocate and the consequences of such decisions? In this article, Professor Schatzki briefly sets out what he believes labor law has done recently with the problem, what the competing interests of the involved parties are, and what types of solutions may be worth serious consideration.
Improved Breast Cancer Diagnosis using Ultrasound guided Diffuse Optical Tomography

Multi-step classification combining both functional and data features improve breast cancer diagnosis with sensitivity 91.1% and specificity 85.4%. Proposed method increased specificity by more than 10% compared to diagnosis with Ultrasound and functional feature only.
Correlating Hard-Braking Activity with Crash Occurrences on Interstate Construction Projects in Indiana

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reported between 2016 and 2017, fatal crashes in work zones increased by 3%, while fatal crashes outside of work zones decreased by 1.5%. The FHWA also reported that work zones account for approximately 10% of the nation’s overall congestion and 24% of unexpected interstate delays. This paper reports on a study of 23 construction work zones that covered approximately 150 centerline miles of Indiana interstate roadway in the summer of 2019. Approximately 50% of all interstate crashes for the period of May to September 2019 occurred within or in an approach upstream or downstream of one of these work zones. Commercially available vehicle hard-braking event data is used for the study and geofenced to the work zone approaches and limits. This research examined 196,215 hard-braking events over a 2-month period in the summer of 2019 and 3132 crashes over the same 2-month period in 2018 and 2019 for the 23 interstate work zones. The study found there were approximately 1 crash/mile for every 147 hard-braking events in and around a construction site. The R2 was approximately 0.85. The paper concludes by recommending that hard-braking event data be used by agencies to quickly identify emerging work zone locations that show relatively large number of hard-braking events for further evaluation.
Apparent growth paradox of Staphylococcus epidermidis in response to extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation exposure

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a normal part of the human microbiome; however, it is an opportunistic pathogen and can cause infections when the delicate balance of this microbiome is disrupted. Furthermore, infections caused by this bacterium can be hard to treat as a result of antibiotic resistance and biofilm production. This experiment aimed to determine whether electromagnetic field radiation (ELF-EMF) could be a deterrent of bacterial growth, as an alternative treatment to antibiotics. A non-pathogenic strain of S. epidermidis was used for experimentation, which took place in a school laboratory setting. The experimental group was exposed to ELF-EMF, while the control group did not receive the ELF-EMF treatment. The number of bacterial colonies, represented as colony forming units (CFUs) and area of random colonies were calculated to determine the effect of this treatment. There was no dramatic difference of colony formation on days 0, 1, and 2 of the four day period of ELF-EMF exposure. However, colony formation for days 3 and 4 show a significant difference between the control and the experimental groups, as the experimental group had a significantly higher CFU count than the control. The average CFU count for day 3 in the control group was 420.6 and 1,097.4 for the experimental group (p<0.0001, t=12.9803). On the final day of the experimentation (Day 4) the average CFU count for the control group was 424.6 and 896.4 for the experimental group (p<0.0001, t=5.8926). The area for five randomly chosen colonies from each petri dish was calculated on the fourth day of experimentation. The area for the experimental group was significantly lower than that control (p<0.0001, with t= 6.8659). The average area for the control group was 1.3249 mm2 and a lower average of 0.6375mm2 for the experimental group. These results demonstrate that the ELF-EMF treatment had an inhibitory effect on the area growth of S. epidermidis, but not on the colony-forming ability of S. epidermidis. This suggests that ELF-EMF influences the means by which the bacterium S. epidermidis grows.
Novel CdSe Solar Cell

CdSe is potentially an important material for making tandem cells with Si. Previously, we have shown good performance in a hybrid p-i-n device, where the p layer was an organic semiconductor (P3HT or PEDOT:PSS) and the n layer was n-CdS. Here, we report on a novel, all-inorganic CdSe solar cell which uses a combination of a very thin a-(Si,C):H intrinsic and p layers along with a thick CdSe layer to make a p-i-n device. This new structure is an all inorganic solar cell and it eliminates the problems of shorts in the CdSe layer by using the thin a-(Si,C):H layer to seal up the shorts during growth. We have obtained both a reasonable current (~8 mA/cm2) and a high voltage (>0.75V) in this inorganic device. The quantum efficiency data clearly shows collection from both the very thin a-(Si,C):H layer and the underlying CdSe layer. The QE data also shows that there are no spikes at the interface between CdSe and CdS for electron transport, and no spikes for hole transport between CdSe and a-(Si,C):H. We also report on the influence of CdCl2 annealing conditions and heat treatment on device performance and fundamental material properties and show that too high a temperature during annealing can damage the material.
Estimating the Intertemporal Capital Asset Pricing Model with Cross-Sectional Consistency

The intertemporal capital asset pricing model of Merton (1973) states that the expected excess return on an asset is proportional to the expected covariance of the excess return on this asset with the excess return on the market portfolio. The proportionality coefficient measures the average relative risk aversion of investors. When the investment opportunity is stochastic, the expected excess return is also proportional to the covariance of the excess return with the state variables that govern the state of the investment opportunity. The proportionality coefficients on these covariance terms measure the investors' average aversion to unfavorable shifts in these state variables. In this paper, we use GARCH-type models to estimate the conditional covariance of a wide array of industry and Fama-French size/book-to-market portfolios with the market portfolio and with the Fama-French size (SMB) and book-to-market (HML) risk factors. We then estimate the system of simultaneous equations that links the excess returns on these portfolios to the corresponding conditional covariances with the market portfolio and the common risk factors. We obtain a positive and highly significant estimate for the relative risk aversion coefficient. The coefficient is about three for the long sample from July 1926 to December 2002, and is around six for the more recent period from July 1963 to December 2002. Furthermore, the expected excess returns are negatively related to their conditional covariance with the Fama-French size risk factor, suggesting that an increase in the size factor predicts an unfavorable shift in the investment opportunity. However, we do not find any consistent loading on the covariance with the book-to-market risk factor. Our findings are robust to different ways of forming portfolios and estimating conditional covariances. Most of the existing literature estimates the intertemporal risk-return relation using one single series of the market portfolio return. We show that the estimates from a single return series have low statistical significance and large sample variation. Our key contribution here is to direct the attention of the literature to the cross-sectional consistency of the intertemporal asset pricing relation and the universal proportionality underlying the risk-return relation. By exploiting this universal relation, we obtain positive and highly significant estimates on the relative risk aversion coefficient. We also gain a better understanding on how different risk factors predict future movements in investment opportunities.
Design, development, and implementation of recirculating aquaria for maintenance and experimentation of deep-sea corals and associated fauna

Here, the development and construction of recirculating aquaria for the long-term maintenance and study of deep-water corals in the laboratory is described. This system may be applied to the maintenance and experimentation on marine organisms in the absence of a natural seawater supply. Since 2009, numerous colonies of Lophelia pertusa as well as several species of associated invertebrates from the Gulf of Mexico have been maintained in the described systems. The behavior of some of these species, including L. pertusa, the corallivorous snail Coralliophila sp., the polychaete Eunice sp., and the galetheoid crab Eumunida picta in the laboratory is described. Additionally, these systems were used for the manipulation of pH and dissolved oxygen for short-term experiments using L. pertusa. The detailed manipulation of carbonate chemistry in artificial seawater is described for use in ocean acidification experiments.
Nanomechanical Switch Designs to Overcome the Surface Adhesion Energy Limit

An analytical model is developed to assess the switching energy of a nanomechanical switch. Alternative switch designs are proposed to leverage spring-restoring force to counterbalance surface adhesion force, reducing the depth of the potential energy well created by contact adhesion and thereby overcoming the surface adhesion energy limit.
Low Microbial Load Sprouts with Enhanced Antioxidants for Astronaut Diet

• Novel methods to stimulate phenolic antioxidants from legume, mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts with low microbial count were developed to support a healthy diet for astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) as well as lunar and Mars programs. INTRODUCTION • ANTIOXIDANTS AND NUTRITION • Plants are excellent sources of phenolic antioxidants • Phenolic phytochemicals – antioxidative action • scavengers of singlet oxygen and free radicals. • Donate hydrogen from hydroxyl groups positioned along the aromatic ring to terminate free radical oxidation of lipids and other biomolecules short-circuit a destructive chain reaction that ultimately degrades cellular membranes. • Implications for human health and in particular cancer. • Understanding Biosynthesis is essential for the development of functional foods, which refers to the improvement of conventional foods with added health benefits. Antioxidants for Protection from Radiation damage • Radiation exposure-linked oxidative stress and biological damage likely to be encountered by astronauts. • In addition to cell membrane damage can cause oxidative damage at the DNA level, having consequences for mutagenesis and cancer. • Preventive nutrient support through use of food-grade antioxidants, such as vitamin C, E and A, have the potential to reduce damage. • Phenolic antioxidants also have the potential to be used as diet-based support for managing radiation-linked antioxidant protection . • Sprout-based phenolic antioxidants can be designed as functional foods for diet-based protection. Phenolic Antioxidants from Plants • Secondary metabolites, which have diverse medicinal applications. – Curcumin from Curcuma longa – Rosmarinic acid from Rosmarinus officinalis . – Isoflavonoids from Glycine max and galanigin from Origanum vulgare – Ellagic acid via solid-state bioprocessing from fruits . – L-tyrosine and L-DOPA from fava bean and related legumes for stress adaptogenic and Parkinson’s diet therapy • Implications for stress-management in advanced life support systems beyond Earth. PHENOLIC ANTIOXIDANTS FROM LEGUME SPROUTS AND BIOCHEMICAL CONCEPTS • PEAS – a link between proline biosynthesis, oxidation, stimulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and phenolic synthesis. • MUNG BEAN – microbial polysaccharide treatments stimulated phenolic content, proline, G6PDH and GPX. – In addition specific elicitors, xanthan gum, yeast extract and yeast glucan stimulated antioxidant activity. – oregano phenolic extracts as elicitors to stimulate phenolic content during dark germination of mung bean.
Software engineering: a new approach for small departments

To provide an appropriate curriculum of electives from a small department is difficult but not impossible. Rarely can faculty teach a wide spread of courses when they are limited to two electives per academic year and overwhelmed with core courses and general education courses. Over the past several years by combining topics into such classes as software engineering, computer graphics, and computer ethics, a small department has expanded the basic electives. This paper describes the evolution of a software engineering course and how the course incorporates multiple topics.
Isolation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Methylase Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12

Fourteen deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and 10 ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation mutants were isolated from Escherichia coli K-12 by examining the ability of nucleic acids prepared from clones of unselected mutagenized cells to accept methyl groups from wild-type crude extract. Eleven of the DNA methylation mutants were deficient in 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC) and were designated Dcm. Three DNA methylation mutants were deficient in N6-methyladenine (N6-MeA) and were designated Dam. Extracts of the mutants were tested for DNA-cytosine:S-adenosylmethionine and DNA-adenine:S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase activities. With one exception, all of the mutants had reduced or absent activity. A representative Dcm mutation was located at 36 to 37 min and a representative Dam mutation was located in the 60-to 66-min region on the genetic map. The Dcm mutants had no obvious associated phenotypic abnormality. The Dam mutants were defective in their ability to restrict λ. None of the mutations had the effect of being lethal.
A Range Extender Hybrid Electric Vehicle dynamic model

This paper describes a dynamic model possessing the key system components of a Range Extender Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The model is suitable for dynamic analysis, control law synthesis, and prototype simulation. The paper contains abbreviated descriptions of a small internal combustion engine, variable field alternator, and a dynamic lead-acid battery model that comprise the primary elements of a highly nonlinear vehicle. The system model is then used for studying the dynamic interaction effects and formulation of a dynamic control system. >
Variable concentration of soil-applied insecticides in potato over time: implications for management of Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

BACKGROUND Select populations of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, in Wisconsin have recently become resistant to soil-applied neonicotinoids in potato. Sublethal insecticide concentrations persisting in foliage through the growing season may select for resistance over successive years of use. Over the 2 years of this study, the aim was to document the in-plant insecticide concentrations over time that result from four different types of soil-applied insecticide delivery for thiamethoxam and imidacloprid in potato, and to measure the impact upon L. decemlineata populations following treatments. After plant emergence, insect life stages were counted and plant tissue was assayed weekly for nine consecutive weeks using ELISA. RESULTS Peak concentration of both imidacloprid and thiamethoxam occurred in the first sample week following plant emergence. The average concentration of both insecticides dissipated sharply over time as the plant canopy expanded 50 days after planting in all delivery treatments. Both insecticides were detected at low levels during the later weeks of the study. Among-plant concentrations of both neonicotinoids were highly variable throughout the season. Populations of L. decemlineata continued to develop and reproduce throughout the period of declining insecticide concentrations. CONCLUSION Sublethal, chronic exposure to soil-applied systemic insecticides resulting from these delivery methods may accelerate selection for resistant insects in potato. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Molecular Metals with Widely Tunable Band Filling. Response of the Collective Properties of a Phthalocyanine Molecular Metal to Drastic Excursions in Partial Oxidation State and Charge-Compensating Counterions

The electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of the partially oxidized, cofacially joined phthalocyanine polymers ((Si(Pc)O)X{sub y}){sub n} are investigated for X{sup {minus}} = BF{sub 4}{sup {minus}}, y = 0.00-0.50; X{sup {minus}} = p-toluenesulfonate (TOS{sup {minus}}), y = 0.00-0.67; and X{sup {minus}} = SO{sub 4}{sup 2{minus}}, y = 0.040, 0.095. As a function of increasing y, the physical properties of the BF{sub 4}{sup {minus}} and TOS{sup {minus}} salts evidence a transition at y {approx} 0.20 from a localized carrier semiconductor or insulator to a molecular metal. Thus, the dc electrical conductivity increases from low values having a temperature dependence most characteristic of disorder and/or hopping transport between localized states to values characteristic of a molecular metal with fluctuation-induced carrier tunneling between relatively large metallike particles. Beyond y {approx gt} 0.25, the conductivity is only weakly dependent on y. At y {approx} 0.20, the thermoelectric power (S(T)) also changes from behavior characteristic of a p-type semiconductor or insulator to that of a p-type molecular metal. Differences in S(T) between X{sup {minus}} = BF{sub 4}{sup {minus}} and TOS{sup {minus}} polymers appear to be due largely to minor structural variations. Optical reflectivity measurements reveal the appearance of a metal-like plasma edge at y {approx}more » 0.20, followed by an incremental shift of this feature to higher energy with further increase in y. The static magnetic susceptibility of ((Si(Pc)O)(BF{sub 4}){sub y}){sub n} evidences an abrupt transition at y {approx} 0.20 from a large concentration of localized, Curie-like spins to Pauli-like behavior characteristic of a molecular metal. Beyond y {approx gt} 0.30, the Pauli-like susceptibility is nearly independent of y. ESR studies indicate a ligand-centered {pi}-radical-cation electronic structure.« less
Temperature and eddy diffusivity profiles in NaK

Local heat transfer coefficients and fully developed temperature profiles were measured in NaK eutectic mixture in a pipe at uniform wall temperature. Reynolds numbers ranged from 26 000 to 302 000 and flow was fully developed. Consistency of data was affirmed by three independent heat rate measurements. Eddy diffusivity profiles were used to calculate Nusselt numbers in pipes at uniform heat flux. Results for liquid metals are correlated by: Nu(x) = Nu∞1 + 2xDxD > 4 Nuave = Nu∞1 + 8LD + 2LDlnLD4LD > 4 where for uniform wall temperature Nu∞ = 4.8 + 0.0156 Pe0.85Pr0.08, 0.004 < Pr < 0.1 and for uniform wall heat flux Nu∞ = 6.3 + 0.0167 Pe0.85Pr0.08, 0.004 < Pr < 0.1.
Specific Pregnancy-Induced Angiotensin II Type-1 Receptor Expression in Ovine Uterine Artery Does Not Involve Formation of Alternate Splice Variants or Alternate Promoter Usage

Recently we reported that pregnancy is associated with a dramatic increase in angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT 1 -R; both protein and mRNA) in ovine uterine artery endothelial cells (UAEC), which far exceeds that seen in omental (systemic) arteries. Recent reports also suggest that alternate splicing of AT 1 -R mRNA may play a role in regulation of AT 1 -R expression in humans. Herein, we have investigated the possibility of alternate transcript splicing/promoter usage in UAEC from pregnant ewes by 5'-RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA 5'-ends). To provide our control reference sequences, we first performed 5'-RACE analysis of AT 1 -R mRNA transcripts in liver, kidney, and adrenal cortex. Analysis of 17 resultant clones showed exceptional homology, indicating that a single identically spliced mRNA product is observed in all three ovine tissues. Homology of the 5'-untranslated region to that of the human was low (34.2%), but four in-context start/stop codons and the beginning of human exons 1 and 5 were highly conserved. Subsequently we isolated 30 individual clones using UAEC RNA from three pregnant ewes and found no evidence of any sequence formed through unique splicing or promoter usage. We conclude that the pregnancy-induced increase in AT 1 -R expression unique to UAEC during pregnancy is not mediated by splicing of a unique transcript or unique promoter usage.
High temperature sulfation studies in an isothermal reactor: A comparison of theory and experiment

High temperature, isothermal data on SO 2 capture were obtained as a function of temperature, SO 2 partial pressure, and Ca/S molar ratio for a pulverized dolomite (34 micron mean size) and a high purity calcite (11 micron mean size). The experimental results indicated that sulfur capture increases approximately iinearly with increasing Ca/S ratio and is relatively insensitive to SO 2 partial pressure at the conditions tested. Reaction zone temperature was found to critically influence the overall effectiveness of sulfur capture by sorbent injection; as the local temperature increases, the rates of heterogenous chemical reaction and diffusion increase but these are ultimately compensated by a decrease in initial sorbent surface area due to desurfacing during flash calcination. The results of the experimental studies were compared with theoretical predictions using a combined diffusion/heterogeneous chemical reaction model which was developed based on a grain formulation. Initial analysis of various fundamental kinetic studies suggested that the intrinsic chemistry was first order in calcium sites and near zero order in SO 2 partial pressure. Model predictions, based on measured gas temperatures and limestone surface areas without sulfur plus kinetic and diffusion rates derived from previously reported fundamental studies, showed good qualitative and quantitative agreement with experimental data. Analysis of temperature profiles from full-scale utility boilers suggests that effectiveness of dry sorbent injection will depend strongly on the quench rate within the surfation zone even if sorbent injection is optimized.
Length constant as a function of intercellular coupling of a cardiac muscle strand analog with applied longitudinal current

A computer simulation was made of a cardiac muscle strand, consisting of a chain of 40 cells and a parallel extracellular pathway, with electric current being applied across the ends and the change in membrane potential of the cells plotted. The number of gap junction tunnels (channels) between the cell pairs was varied from one to 10^6, by changing the value of the intercellular resistance r"g"j. Changes in membrane potential were measured at three points in each cell: left, middle, and right thirds. There was an exponential fall-off in voltage at the two ends of the strand, with the middle portion showing very little voltage change. The length constant @l was greatest with 10^6 tunnels: 2.75 cell length (CL). @l was 2.00 CL at 10,000 tunnels, and at 1,000 tunnels or less, @l was less than 1 CL. At one tunnel, the voltage profile was flat. A plot of @l as a function of the number of tunnels was sigmoidal, there being relatively little effect between 10^5 and 10^6 tunnels. Allowance for short-circuiting of each tunnel by current flow through the transverse wall of the protein tunnel by either 1% or 10% of the longitudinal conductance (assumed to be 156pS), caused the @l values to be further decreased. In conclusion, this model allows analysis of length constant variation as a function of the number of gap junction tunnels, and demonstrates the upper limit to be about 2.75 CL, equivalent to 413 @mm, assuming a cell length of 150 @mm. Increasing the membrane resistance r"m tenfold increases the @l values. Thus, this method can be used to measure @l in a muscle strand.
Bi-rewriting Rewriting Logic

Abstract Rewriting logic appears to have good properties as logical framework, and can be useful for the development of programming languages which attempt to integrate various paradigms of declarative programming. In this paper I propose to tend towards the operational semantics for such languages by basing it on bi-rewrite systems and ordered chaining calculi which apply rewrite techniques to first-order theories with arbitrary possibly non-symmetric transitive relations, because this was an important breakthrough for the automation of deduction in these kind of theories. I show that a proof calculus based on the bi-rewriting technique may serve as framework of different proof calculi, by analizing those of equational logic and Horn logic, and presenting them as specific cases of bi-rewrite systems. Deduction is then essentially bi-rewriting a theory of rewriting logic. Since recently the interest in specifications based on theories with transitive relations has arisen, the result of this research towards a general framework for bi-rewriting based operational semantics of several programming paradigms will also be very useful for the development of rapid prototyping tools for these kind of specifications.
Reviews and Abstracts [review of RFID: A Guide to Radio Frequency Identification by Hunt, V.D. et al.; 2007]

This book serves as a primer on RFID applications. It presents a basic inventory of RFID technology and tools that will be valuable to a wide spectrum of readers, including engineers, and non-engineers such as business professionals. The book does a fine job of providing information on various RFID applications in different sectors
Low dimensional models of the wall region in a turbulent boundary layer: new results

Abstract Using an optimally convergent representation, a low dimensional model is constructed, which embodies in a streamwise-invariant form the effects of streamwise structure. Results of Stone show that the model is capable of mimicking the stability change due to favorable and unfavorable pressure gradients. Results of Aubry et al. suggest that polymer drag reduction is associated with stabilization of the secondary instabilities, as has been speculated. Results of Bloch and Marsden indicate that drag can be reduced by feedback, and that this is mathematically equivalent to polymer drag reduction. The authors showed that dynamical systems based on the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition have, on the average, the best short term tracking time (the time that a model tracks the true system accurately; essential for control) for a given number of modes. In recent work, the authors have shown that several assumptions made on an intuitive basis in the work of Aubry et al. may be justified formally. Berkooz has made rigorous estimates using the proper orthogonal decomposition showing that a structured turbulent flow, such as the wall layer, has a phase space representation that remains within a thin slab centered on the most energetic modes for most of the time. Campbell and Holmes have shown several results in connection with symmetry breaking in systems with structurally stable heteroclinic cycles. This work is relevant to our models of interacting coherent structures in boundary layers with discrete spanwise symmetry, such as that caused by riblets, which are known to produce drag reduction.
Study of neutrons from a PoF(α,n) source

Abstract The neutron spectrum of a PoF(α,n) source has been determined with nuclear emulsions. There is a single maximum occurring at about 1·3 MeV, and the maximum neutron energy is about 3 MeV. A study of the gamma rays from excited states in the residual 22Na nucleus has been made by taking neutron-gamma coincidences. The gamma ray spectrum thus found supports a recently published level scheme for 22Na. A calculation of the neutron spectrum, under certain simplifying assumptions, shows that this level scheme is compatible with the observed neutron spectrum.
Soil chemistry and mineral problems in farm livestock. A review

Abstract A review is made of the influence of soil chemistry and soil characteristics on the occurrence of mineral problems in farm livestock, with major emphasis on ruminants maintained on pastures and forages. The review is developed in two sections: (1) a general discussion of factors affecting transfer of elements through the soil—plant—animal complex, with some reference to techniques employed in assessing problems of animal health; (2) a more detailed review of certain mineral deficiency and toxicity conditions in livestock caused by specific elements for which a relationship with soil properties has been clearly demonstrated on an international basis. This includes phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, molybdenum, cobalt, selenium, iodine and fluorine. The relationships are, in general, quite complex and affected not only by geology and soil chemistry but by climate, intensity of the agricultural systems, nature of the vegetative cover and characteristics and management of the grazing animal.
Technological Change, Government Policies, and Exhaustible Resources in Agriculture

Study and analysis of agricultural policies are some of the main research efforts of the agricultural economics profession. Over the years, a conventional wisdom regarding the unique features of the agricultural sector and agricultural policies has been evolved (Brandow). This conventional wisdom draws heavily from notions advanced in development economics, international trade, and microeconomics; it pays little attention to resource economics considerations. This is true
Variants in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene appear to be associated with increased dental care-related anxiety, increased fear of dental pain, and greater likelihood of dental care avoidance.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Genetic variations in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene associated with red hair color and fear of dental pain, anxiety regarding dental care and avoidance of dental care. Binkley CJ, Beacham A, et al. J Am Dent Assoc 2009;140(7):896-905. Reviewer Deborah V. Dawson, PhD, ScM Purpose/Question The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of natural red hair color or the presence of a variant in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene is predictive of dental care–related anxiety and dental care avoidance. Source of Funding Government—NIH/NIDCR #1 R21 DE016064-01 Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional study Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable