cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary assessment of the Louisiana Home Energy Rebate Offer program using IPMVP guidelines

Abstract The Louisiana Home Energy Rebate Offer (HERO) is a residential energy conservation program established in 1999 to provide rebates for qualified applicants to build new homes that are more energy efficient or improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. Energy conservation programs require careful evaluation because of the high cost to implement the measures and the expectation that they will reduce energy use. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that residential energy conservation measures in a hot and humid climate can be evaluated using the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), a best practice methodology commonly used in industrial and commercial performance-based contracts, but rarely, if ever, applied to residential programs. Using a random sample of 60 HERO participants, we were able to construct statistically significant electricity consumption baseline models for 90% of households. We determined that more than half of the sample participants consumed more electricity after their efficiency improvement, with an average net household savings of 172 kWh/yr, about 1% pre-retrofit consumption. A description of the baseline model construction, preliminary program evaluation, and recommendations are provided. All program conclusions are considered preliminary until a larger and more comprehensive study is conducted.
Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Glucagon, and Growth Hormone Release in Association with Physiological Decrements in the Plasma Glucose Concentration in Normal and Diabetic Man

The release of potentially important glucose counter-regulatory factors (epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon, GH, and cortisol) was studied during Biostator-controlled reductions in the plasma glucose concentration from the high physiological level of 95 mg/dl to the low physiological level of 60 mg/dl in 10 subjects (5 normal subjects and 5 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes) and from the supraphysiological level of 200 to 100 mg/dl in 6 subjects (3 normal subjects and 3 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes). Reductions in the plasma glucose concentration from 95 to 60 mg/dl were associated with early (+30 to +40 min) increments [here with the maximal values expressed as the percent of the mean baseline (mean ± SE)] in plasma epinephrine (529 ± 144; P < 0.02), norepinephrine (146 ± 12; P < 0.01), and glucagon (123 ± 13; P < 0.05) and a late (+75 min) increment in plasma GH (2504 ± 1065; P < 0.05); an apparent late (+105 min) increment in plasma cortisol (132 ± 15) was not statistically signif...
Practical interpretation of metrological traceability on gauge block as to VIM 3

In ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, i.e. the International Vocabulary of Basic and General Terms in Metrology-3rd edition (VIM 3), the term “traceability” is replaced by “metrological traceability”, giving it a new definition as property of a measurement result which can be related to a reference. In essence, “metrological traceability” can offer an evidence of measurands tracing to the primary standards which can realize the SI units, and offer a documented unbroken chain of calibrations, thus considered as one of the most important terms in VIM 3. National Measurement Laboratory (NML, Chinese Taipei) has long operated its main mission of calibration implemented along with peer assessed traceability of its measurement systems, which demonstrate a calibration hierarchy conventionally in schematic approach. In dealing with definition of the new term “metrological traceability” in VIM 3, this paper elaborates in taking additionally a newly mathematical approach rather than schematic approach only to realize the practical interpretation of “metrological traceability” to show how the unbroken calibration chain is functioning seamless and robust on the gauge block measurement system in NML. Through such study activities, we well assure our strong confidence on technology inheritance of gauge block and the other measurement systems with sufficient metrological know-how in NML, which can continually pass to each entry level metrologist.
An example of In Vivo tetracycline labelling: Reply to piepenbrink

A variety of soil-dwelling micro-organisms play a role in the decomposition of interred human skeletal remains, leading to post-mortem alterations in biochemical composition and microstructural appearance of bone. Piepenbrink (1986) has suggested that a post-mortem microbial invasion may be responsible for the fluorescence found in Sudanese Nubian skeletons (AD 350–550) and that the in vivo incorporation of tetracycline, posited by Bassett et al. (1980) to be the causal mechanism, is a misinterpretation of the evidence. While we recognize the potential for post-mortem diagenesis, chemical and histological analyses of the exceptionally well-preserved Sudanese Nubian skeletons confirm our original hypothesis of an in vivo mode of incorporation of tetracycline with subsequent deposition of a permanent, discrete fluorescent label in the bone. Ingestion of tetracycline, a broad spectrum antibiotic, may explain the low rate of infectious disease documented in this population in an earlier study (Armelagos, 1968, 1969). Consequently, it is important that evidence should not be dismissed as merely the result of taphonomic process, without proper consideration of alternative explanations. This note addresses the disparity between the pattern of fluorescent labelling present in Piepenbrink's sample(s) due to diagenesis and the in vivo incorporation of tetracyclines found in the Sudanese Nubian population.
Central values of $L$-functions and half-integral weight forms

We prove a relation between the Fourier coefficients of certain Hilbert modular forms of half-integral weight and central values of the corresponding Rankin L-functions. The result generalizes the classical theorem by Waldspurger. The approach is geometric and generalizes that of Gross and Hatcher.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Based Semi-interpenetrating Polymer Networks for Tissue Engineering Applications. 1. Effects of Linear Poly(acrylic acid) Chains on Phase Behavior

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based [P(NIPAAm)-based] semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs), consisting of P(NIPAAm)-based hydrogels and linear poly(acrylic acid) [P(AAc)] chains, were synthesized, and the effects of the P(AAc) chains on semi-IPN injectability and phase behavior were analyzed. In P(NIPAAm)- and P(NIPAAm-co-AAc)-based semi-IPN studies, numerous reaction conditions were varied, and the effects of these factors on semi-IPN injectability, transparency, phase transition, lower critical solution temperature (LCST), and volume change were examined. The P(AAc) chains did not significantly affect the LCST or volume change of the semi-IPNs, compared to control hydrogels. However, the P(AAc) chains affected the injectability, transparency, and phase transition of the matrices, and these effects were dependent on chain amount and molecular weight (MW) and on interactions between the P(AAc) chains and the solvent and/or copolymer chains in P(NIPAAm-co-AAc) hydrogels. These results can be us...
MO‐E‐AUD B‐05: Development of Whole‐Body Phantoms Representing An Average Adult Male and Female Using Surface‐Geometry Methods

Purpose: To apply a series of Whole‐Body Phantoms Representing An Average Adult Male and Female Using Surface‐Geometry Methods to the study of external radiation dosimetry.Method and Materials: Boundary reprentation was used to deform the original organs automatically into two sets of standard RPI Adult Male/Female phantoms with volume/mass matched with those of the ICRP. To finally define the phantom geometries in Monte Carlo codes for dose calculations, we developed a software to convert the finished surface phantoms into the voxel phantoms at any desired voxel size. The voxelization used the parity count method together with the method of ray stabbing on polygon surface. The corresponding Monte Carlo input file was derived automatically by our program “Phantom Processor”. Average absorbed doses to organs were obtained by MCNPX.Results: The volume/mass data of the standard RPI Adult Male/Female phantoms match with those of the ICRP. After mesh voxelization, the volume/mass data of the voxel phantoms have the relative error less than 0.5%. The voxel resolutions of the Male/Female are 3.2 mm and 3.0 mm respectively. The average absorbed doses of internal organs were calculated using the 6 external neutron irradiation geometries. All results were normalized by the unit source fluence in accordance with the standard usage in radiation protection dosimetry for reporting fluence to absorbed dose conversion coefficients. Typically, 107 histories were simulated and the uncertainties were better than about 1% for most of the target organs.Conclusion: A series of RPI Adult Male/Female phantoms have been developed. Using our software we have developed additional registration and deformation algorithms that allow a mesh‐based phantom to “morph” into a different individual. This series of phantoms were voxelized and implanted into MCNPX. The results suggest that Monte Carlo calculations can be performed for various internal and external exposures to ionizing radiation.
Circus movement atrial flutter in the canine sterile pericarditis model. Cryothermal termination from the epicardial site of the slow zone of the reentrant circuit.

BACKGROUND We have shown that atrial flutter (AF) in dogs with sterile pericarditis is commonly due to a single-loop reentrant circuit in the lower right atrium comprised of a functional or functional/anatomic obstacle and a slow zone of conduction (SZ) between the central obstacle and the atrioventricular (AV) ring. The goals of the present study were 1) to establish that the epicardial SZ is the critical component of circus movement AF and 2) to identify the optimal site within the epicardial SZ at which interruption of circus movement can be accomplished by ablative techniques. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed the atrial activation patterns during epicardial cooling of the SZ with as N2O-cooled probe in eight dogs (five with clockwise [CW] reentrant circuit, one with counterclockwise [CCW] reentrant circuit, and two with both CW and CCW reentrant circuits around the same pathway). In all eight dogs, cooling (-5 to +5 degrees C for 5-20 seconds) the narrow isthmus at the inferoposterior part of the SZ between the central obstacle and the AV ring reversibly terminated the reentrant circuit, whereas cooling outside this area failed to terminate the reentrant circuit. The circus movement was not observed to continue along alternate pathways when conduction in this critical zone was interrupted. Both CW and CCW reentrant circuits could be terminated from the same site within the SZ. Cooling resulted in slowing of conduction in the SZ (55 +/- 15 msec) in both CW and CCW reentrant circuits. Cooling-induced termination of CW reentrant circuits was characteristically associated with oscillations of conduction in the cooled zone of the last three cycles before termination and conduction block occurred within the cooled zone. The last "manifest" reentrant cycle was associated with the longest conduction delay in the cooled zone. However, this delay was not necessarily reflected in the length of the last reentrant cycle because of compensatory acceleration of conduction in the rest of the pathway. On the other hand, in CCW reentrant circuits, conduction block occurred abruptly at the distal border of the SZ and without significant oscillations of conduction. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides convincing evidence that single-loop circus movement in this model is critically dependent on an obligatory conduction in a SZ in the inferoposterior portion of the free right atrial wall between a functional obstacle and the AV ring. Because the atrial myocardium behaves electrophysiologically as a two-dimensional surface, the results of this study may help to guide the endocardial electrode catheter ablative technique for treatment of clinical AF.
Some costs and consequences of large‐scale social systems modeling

Large-scale models have very important theoretical, technical, ethical, and political costs and consequences that are often not recognized, and when recognized, often ignored. These costs and consequences prevent large-scale models from playing a constructive role in policy processes and retard the development of a more useful large-scale modeling activity. This essay discusses some of these costs and consequences and recommends their explicit recognition and acknowledgments as the first steps for improvement.
Flecainide and amiodarone interaction

Oral amiodarone therapy was given to seven patients already taking oral flecainide regularly. In one additional patient, administration of flecainide was temporarily discontinued when amiodarone therapy was begun, and then resumed. Amiodarone produced a rise in mean dose-adjusted flecainide plasma level (trough plasma level at steady state/daily dose) from 2.3 ± 0.8 to 3.4 ± 0.9 (ng/ml)/(mg/day) (p
The Use of a Tablet Computer to Complete the DASH Questionnaire

Purpose To determine whether electronic self-administration of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire using a tablet computer increased completion rate compared with paper self-administration. Methods We gave the DASH in self-administered paper form to 222 new patients in a single hand surgeon's practice. After a washout period of 5 weeks, we gave the DASH in self-administered tablet computer form to 264 new patients. A maximum of 3 questions could be omitted before the questionnaire was considered unscorable. We reviewed the submitted surveys to determine the number of scorable questionnaires and the number of omitted questions in each survey. We completed univariate analysis and regression modeling to determine the influence of survey administration type on respondent error while controlling for patient age and sex. Results Of the 486 total surveys, 60 (12%) were not scorable. A significantly higher proportion of the paper surveys (24%) were unscorable compared with electronic surveys (2%), with significantly more questions omitted in each paper survey (2.6 ± 4.4 questions) than in each electronic survey (0.1 ± 0.8 questions). Logistic regression analysis revealed survey administration mode to be significantly associated with DASH scorability while controlling for age and sex, with electronic survey administration being 14 times more likely than paper administration to yield a scorable DASH. Conclusions In our retrospective series, electronic self-administration of the DASH decreased the number of omitted questions and yielded a higher number of scorable questionnaires. Prospective, randomized evaluation is needed to better delineate the effect of survey administration on respondent error. Clinical relevance Administration of the DASH with a tablet computer may be beneficial for both clinical and research endeavors to increase completion rate and to gain other benefits from electronic data capture.
Modeling Commuting Patterns in Chicago in a GIS Environment: A Job Accessibility Perspective

Using the newly released Census for Transportation Planning Package (CTPP) 1990, this research utilizes GIS tools to explain intraurban variations of commuting in Chicago at the Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) level. While commute times are directly available from the CTPP, commute distances are derived from the shortest time distances through real-world road networks. GIS surface modeling is used to help identify the major employment center (CBD) and other subcenters. The explanations of commute times and distances are attempted by various measures of job accessibility: the jobs-housing balance ratio defined in a floating catchment area, distances from the CBD and subcenters, and a gravity-based index that takes the effects of all jobs into account. These measurements better explain how far people commute than how much time they spend on commuting. The best model explains over 50% of the variation of commuting among 7,835 TAZs. This is a significant improvement over existing literature, which at best explain...
Ionic Hydrogenation of Alkynes by HOTf and Cp(CO)3WH

Alkynes can be hydrogenated at room temperature by an ionic hydrogenation method using triflic acid (CF{sub 3}SO{sub 3}H) as the proton donor and a transition metal hydride (Cp(CO){sub 3}WH) as the hydride donor. Reaction of PhC{triple_bond}CH with HOTf and Cp(CO){sub 3}WH gives ethylbenzene as the final product in high yield. Intermediates observed in this reaction are the vinyl triflate CH{sub 2}{double_bond}C(Ph)(OTf) and the geminal ditriflate Ph(CH{sub 3})C(OTf){sub 2}, which result from the addition of 1 or 2 equiv of HOTf to the C{triple_bond}C triple bond of the alkyne. Hydrogenation of PhC{triple_bond}CMe by HOTf and Cp(CO){sub 3}WH similarly observed in this reaction were the cis and trans isomers of the {beta}-methylstyrene complex [Cp(CO){sub 3}W-({eta}{sup 2}-PhHC{double_bond}CHCH{sub 3})]{sup +}[OTf]{sup -}. Hydrogenation of n-butyacetylene to n-hexane does occur upon reaction with HOTf/Cp(CO){sub 3}WH, but is very slow. In the absence of metal hydrides, 2-methyl-1-buten-3-yne reacts with HOTf to give the vinyl triflate CH{sub 2}{double_bond}CMeC(OTf){double_bond}CH{sub 2}, but reaction with HOTf and Cp(CO){sub 3}WH gives Me{sub 2}C{double_bond}C(OTf)Me. The key characteristics required for the metal hydride used in these hydrogenations are the ability to donate hydride in the presence for the metal hydride used in these hydrogenations are the ability to donate hydride in the presence ofmore » strong acid, and the absence of rapid decomposition of the hydride through reaction with the strong acid. Cp(CO){sub 3}WH meets these requirements, but HSiEt{sub 3}, while an effective hydride donor, is decomposed by HOTf on the time scale of these alkyne hydrogenation reactions.« less
Synchrotron SAXS measurements on solutions of poly(styrene-isoprene) AB block copolymer in aniline

Abstract Synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has been performed on solutions of a poly (styrene-isoprene) AB block (PS/PIP) copolymer in aniline. The copolymer forms aggregates in this particular solvent. Earlier investigations could not determine whether the aggregates were micelle-like or vesicle-like. In order to distinguish between these two possibilities, the form factor has to be known over a wide range of the scattering vector (q) to within a satisfactory precision. Due to the high intensity of synchrotron radiation, it was possible to obtain SAXS results with a sufficient precision, which allowed the conclusion that the aggregates were vesicle-like when the PS block was sufficiently short. The effect of polydispersity on the form factor is also discussed.
Underwater localization and tracking of physical systems

We investigate the problem of localizing an underwater sensor node based on message broadcasting from multiple surface nodes. With the time-of-arrivalmeasurements from a DSP-basedmulticarrier modem, each sensor node localizes itself based on the travel time differences amongmultiple senders to the receiver. Using one-waymessage passing, such a solution can scale to accommodate a large number of nodes in a network. We consider the issue from not only the physical layer, but also at the node processing layer by incorporating a tracking solution. We present simulation results, testing results in a swimming pool featuring both stationary and moving receivers, and results from a lake test with a mobile receiver.
Mitotic counts in breast cancer after neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy and development of metastatic disease

Although pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NST) is associated with an excellent prognosis, the prognosis for patients with residual disease is variable. The mitotic count (MC) is commonly used in the evaluation of histologic tumor grade, but its prognostic value relative to other factors when determined after NST has not been studied. We evaluated MC in the residual tumor after NST in order to determine whether it provided prognostic information independent of other factors, including the residual cancer burden (RCB). We retrospectively reviewed pathologic specimens from 80 patients with localized breast cancer who received standard NST, of whom 61 had residual disease evaluable for MC analysis and RCB score. The exact number of mitotic figures was counted in 10 high power (40×) fields (hpf). We classified tumors as having high (≥13 per 10 hpf) and low (<13 per 10 hpf) MC because this threshold fell at the midpoint for an intermediate MC score in the Nottingham combined histologic grade. Distant metastases developed in 2 of 32 (6.3 %) patients with a low MC compared with 18 of 29 (62.1 %) with a high MC (log-rank test, p < 0.001). When adjusted for other covariates, including age, estrogen receptor, HER2/neu expressions, and RCB score, a high MC was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing distant metastases (hazard ratio 11.21, 95 % CI [2.19, 57.37]; p = 0.004). Our findings indicated that evaluation of MC after NST warrants validation and further evaluation as a prognostic marker in breast cancer.
Co-digestion of swine manure and corn stover for bioenergy production in MixAlco™ consolidated bioprocessing

Abstract MixAlco™ consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) employs a mixed culture of terrestrial microorganisms to anaerobically ferment waste streams (e.g., animal manure, agriculture residues) into mixed carboxylate salts that can be further chemically converted to commodity chemicals (e.g., acetic acid, acetone) and liquid transportation fuels (e.g., ethanol, mixed alcohols, bio-gasoline). For countercurrent fermentations of 60% swine manure/40% lime-treated corn stover at 55 °C, the highest acid productivity [1.8 g/(L·d)] and highest conversion (73%) in this study occurred at an acid concentration of 25.1 and 17.0 g/L, respectively. The continuum particle distribution model (CPDM) predicted the experimental total acid concentrations and conversions around 11.1% and 17.2%, respectively. The CPDM prediction "map" for MixAlco™ CBP indicates that both high conversions (>79%) and high total acid concentrations (>35 g/L) are possible at industrial scale. The present study shows continuous co-digestion of corn stove and swine manure in the MixAlco™ process has the potential to produce annually 9.3 billion gallons of alcohol fuels (e.g., ethanol and mixed alcohols) in the United States.
Molecular structure of the chicken vitamin D-induced calbindin-D28K gene reveals eleven exons, six Ca2+-binding domains, and numerous promoter regulatory elements

The seco-steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is known to induce the expression of a calcium binding protein termed calbindin-D28K in a variety of target tissues. In order to comprehend the mechanism of induction we have cloned and sequenced the chicken calbindin-D28K gene. The gene spans some 18.5 kilobases (kb) of chromosomal DNA from the putative Cap site to the polyadenylation site of the 2.8 kb mRNA. It is split into 11 coding exons by 10 intervening sequences. The promoter region of this gene is markedly G + C-rich (60-80%) extending from -225 to +400. Within this region we find 70 CpG dinucleotides, four G-C boxes, and numerous known promoter regulatory signals. These putative regulatory signals include a TATA box (ATAAATA) at -30 and a CAT box (CCAAT) at -326. Ten additional variant CAT boxes are found in the upstream promoter region (-218 to -770) of this gene. Furthermore we have identified a glucocorticoid-like responsive element at -410 (TCTACACACTGTTCC) and this element overlaps a metal responsive element (TGCACTC) and a variant CAT box (CCAAAT) and juxtaposes an enhancer-like core element (AAATGGT) on its 3'-side. In addition, the calbindin-D28K promoter is composed of a variety of simple repeated sequences, some of which are components of putative regulatory signals. All splice junctions were found to conform to the GT-AG rule. A consensus sequence of the 5'-splice junction reads AG/GTAAG-TTATA. A consensus sequence of the 3'-splice site consists of two elements: a pyrimidine track (mainly T) followed by ACAG/G-T. A two-dimensional model of calbindin-D28K was constructed which projects the existence of 6 alpha-helix-loop-alpha-helix regions characteristic of calcium binding domains. The 3'-end of the gene consists of a single large (2039 base pair) uninterrupted exon, an organizational feature common to other members of the calcium binding protein gene family which include calmodulin, parvalbumin, Spec I, myosin light chains, etc. Another feature common to the gene family is the presence of the repeated sequence ATTT or TTTA located in the 3'-untranslated exons. These simple repeat sequences could be involved in regulating mRNA degradation by serving as a ribonuclease recognition signal.
CV-1 and MRC-5 mixed cells for simultaneous detection of herpes simplex viruses and varicella zoster virus in skin lesions

Abstract Background: Culture for varicella zoster virus (VZV) is relatively insensitive. Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) culture methods, which rely on primary rabbit kidney (pRK), mink lung (Mv1Lu) or the ELVIS™ HSV culture system fail to detect VZV. Culture of atypical vesicular skin lesions should be able to detect both HSV and VZV. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the sensitivity of a newly developed mixture of CV-1/MRC-5 cells for the concurrent detection of both HSV and VZV. Study design: The CV-1/MRC-5 mixed cells were compared with pRK cells and Mv1Lu cells for the detection of HSV and to MRC-5 and A-549 cells for the detection of VZV. Fresh clinical samples submitted for HSV culture, VZV culture, and/or direct immunofluorescent assay (DFA) as well as frozen clinical samples previously positive for VZV were used for these comparisons. Results : This preliminary study suggest that CV-1/MRC-5 mixed cells are as sensitive as pRK and Mv1Lu cells for the detection of HSV and appear to be more sensitive than MRC-5 and A-549 cells for the detection of VZV. Although the sample size is small, pre-CPE staining with VZV specific monoclonal antibody (Mab) at day 2 post-inoculation may provide a rapid detection of VZV with these mixed cells, but not with MRC-5 or A549 cells. In addition, culture of VZV in mixed cells from fresh clinical specimens appears to be as sensitive as antigen detection by DFA. Finally, 1% of specimens from skin lesions submitted for HSV culture grew VZV, highlighting the importance of culturing for both VZV and HSV, particularly in the case of atypical lesions. Conclusion : CV-1/MRC-5 mixed cells are highly sensitive for the simultaneous culture of HSV and VZV. The ability to detect either HSV or VZV from skin lesions is important for patient management.
Futile hydrogen cycling in liver cells from triiodothyronine treated rats

Abstract Aminooxyacetate does not inhibit gluconeogenesis from sorbitol or glycerol, and ethanol does not inhibit gluconeogenesis from L-lactate, in liver cells prepared from triiodothyronine (T3) treated rats. These results are in accord with the previously documented marked increase in α-glycerol phosphate shuttle activity induced by thyroid hormones. Aminooxyacetate inhibits gluconeogenesis from L-lactate in hepatocytes from T3 treated rats by only about 30% (vs 90% in hepatocytes from normal rats). Also pyruvate kinase flux during gluconeogenesis from L-lactate is markedly increased in liver cells from fasted, T3 treated, rats.
The laccase multigene family in Arabidopsis thaliana: towards addressing the mystery of their gene function(s)

While laccases, multi-copper glycoprotein oxidases, are often able to catalyze oxidation of a broad range of substrates, such as phenols and amines in vitro, their precise physiological/biochemical roles in higher plants remain largely unclear, e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana contains 17 laccases with only 1 having a known physiological function. To begin to explore their roles in planta, spatial and temporal expression patterns of Arabidopsis laccases were compared and contrasted in different tissues at various development stages using RT-PCR and promoter-GUS fusions. Various cell-specific expressions were noted where specific laccases were uniquely expressed, such as LAC4 in interfascicular fibers and seed coat columella, LAC7 in hydathodes and root hairs, LAC8 in pollen grains and phloem, and LAC15 in seed coat cell walls. Such specific cell-type expression patterns provide new leads and/or strategies into determining their precise physiological/biochemical roles. In addition, there was an apparent redundancy of gene expression patterns for several laccases across a wide variety of tissues, lignified and non-lignified, perhaps indicative of overlapping function(s). Preliminary evidence, based on bioinformatics analyses, suggests that most laccases may also be tightly regulated at both transcriptional (antisense transcripts, histone and DNA methylation) and posttranscriptional (microRNAs) levels of gene expression.
Competency matrices for peer assessment of individuals in team projects

Assessing individual contributions on team projects and promoting the maturation of team knowledge skills in students is difficult. Traditional assessment tools score an individual over a set of categories that are loosely defined and lack well-defined expectations. Further, for curriculum in which team-based learning is a primary component, the traditional approach to assessment fails to provide visibility to the students as to how their team-knowledge skills should mature as they progress. In this paper we present a competency matrix based approach that defines expected performance for required team knowledge skills, where assessment is performed relative to the expectations for the current level of the student. This competency matrix not only provides guidance and clarification for students learning these skills as they mature in their academic careers but also provides a foundation for self and peer assessments. A comparison survey was distributed to students at various levels within the curriculum currently using a traditional assessment instrument. While the students recognized that the competency-based approach was more involved and time consuming, the results of that survey demonstrate that students have a stronger preference for the competency matrix approach. We also include a discussion of the benefits and difficulties associated with this model and future work.
Identification of the Regulatory Anionic Lipid Site in Kir Channels

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir) are regulated by multiple factors, including multiple lipids. In addition to a specific requirement for phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) for channel activity of Kir2.1, analysis of purified proteins reconstituted into liposomes has revealed a secondary requirement for non-specific anionic lipids, which increase PI(4,5)P2 sensitivity by ∼100 fold [Cheng et al. 2011, Biophys. J. 100, 620-628]. Recent crystal structures of eukaryotic Kir channels in complex with PI(4,5)P2 reveal a common PI(4,5)P2 binding site [Hansen et al, 2011, Nature. 477, 495-498; Whorton & MacKinnon, 2011, Cell. 147, 199-208], but they have not identified the synergistic anionic lipid site.We have performed extensive docking simulations to identify potential interaction sites of different phospholipids with Kir2.1 channels. These simulations indicate two distinct binding sites; a high affinity site that corresponds to the crystallographic PI(4,5)P2 binding pocket and a lower affinity site, involving two lysine residues further towards the periphery of the cytoplasmic domain, that may correspond to the secondary anionic lipid site. When the two lysine residues are mutated to cysteine, channel activity is essentially abolished, even in the presence of PIP2. Cysteine modification of these residues by decyl-MTS, which essentially provides a ‘lipid tether' to the residue, restores channel activity in the presence of low levels of PIP2. These results point strongly to the identified site as being the site for non-specific anionic lipid interaction, and support a model in which the anionic lipid interaction (or ‘lipid tethering') pulls the Kir domain towards the membrane, facilitating PI(4,5)P2-mediated channel opening.
Extensive Ribosomal DNA Genic Variation in the Columnar Cactus Lophocereus

Sequence analysis of the hypervariable internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is commonly used to gain insights into plant and animal population structure and phylogeny. We characterized ITS1, ITS2, and the 5.8S coding region of 18 senita (Lophocereus) individuals from 12 different populations in Baja as well as from closely related cactus species. Analyses of multiple clones demonstrated extensive paralogy in the senita rDNA gene family. We identified at least two putatively non-recombining rDNA operons in senita as well as multiple paralogous sequences within each operon. Usage of PCR, reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, Southern blot, primary sequence analyses of the 18S rDNA gene, and secondary structure analyses of the 5.8S rRNA showed that one of the operons encodes rDNA pseudogenes in a low copy-number (Truncated), whereas the second operon encodes an expressed rRNA (Functional). Surprisingly, we found extensive paralogy not only in the ITS regions but also in the 5.8S coding regions in senita both within and between operons. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the second rDNA operon originated prior to the divergence of Lophocereus. A significant (p < 0.05) divergence-rate acceleration was found in the Lophocereus 5.8S rDNA coding region in the Functional operon in comparison to Pereskiopsis porteri (Cactaceae) and Portulaca molokiniensis (Portulacaceae) with Silene dioica and Spinacia oleracea as the outgroups.
MARYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGES: A PATCHWORK QUILT

Maryland's 18 comprehensive community colleges enroll 57% of the Maryland resident undergraduates enrolled in higher education in the state. Community colleges in Maryland are state‐assisted local institutions, with trustees appointed by the governor. Operating revenue for fiscal year 1994 consisted of 33% local funds, 30% state funds, 35% student tuition, and 2% other income. The community colleges are coordinated on a statewide basis by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and they are represented by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges for liaison and advocacy with the governor and the Maryland General Assembly. The Maryland community college system is much like a patchwork quilt: functional, attractive, and made up of individual pieces of distinctive material in a largely unsystematic pattern. Like the unique pieces in a quilt, the colleges differ widely in size, program emphasis, the demographics of their service areas, and the ability of their subdivisions to support them, among other...
Prehospital aspirin administration for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the USA: an EMS quality assessment using the NEMSIS 2011 database

Introduction National practice guidelines recommend early aspirin administration to reduce mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although timely administration of aspirin has been shown to reduce mortality in ACS by 23%, prior regional Emergency Medical Service (EMS) data have shown inadequate prehospital administration of aspirin in patients with suspected cardiac ischaemia. Objectives Using the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) database, we sought to determine (1) the proportion of patients with suspected cardiac ischaemia who received aspirin and (2) patient and prehospital characteristics that independently predicted administration of aspirin. Methods Analysis of the 2011 NEMSIS database targeted patients aged ≥40 years with a paramedic primary impression of ‘chest pain’. To identify patients with chest pain of suspected cardiac aetiology, we included those for whom an ECG or cardiac monitoring had been performed. Trauma-related chest pain and basic life support transports were excluded. The primary outcome was presence of aspirin administration. Patient (age, sex, race/ethnicity and insurance status) and regional characteristics where the EMS transport occurred were also obtained. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the independent association of patient and regional factors with aspirin administration for suspected cardiac ischaemia. Results Of the total 14 371 941 EMS incidents in the 2011 database, 198 231 patients met our inclusion criteria (1.3%). Of those, 45.4% received aspirin from the EMS provider. When compared with non-Hispanic white patients, several groups had greater odds of aspirin administration by EMS: non-Hispanic black patients (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.55), non-Hispanic Asians (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.18), Hispanics (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.54 to 1.91) and other non-Hispanics (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.51). Patients living in the Southern region of the USA (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.62) and patients with governmental (federally administered such as Veteran9s Health Care, but not Medicare or Medicaid) insurance (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.78) had the lowest odds of receiving aspirin. Age and sex (OR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.00) were not associated with aspirin administration. Conclusions It is likely that prehospital aspirin administration for patients with suspected cardiac ischaemia remains low nationally and could be improved. Reasons for disparities among the various groups should be explored.
Dharma in Hinduism

Hinduism is a label for the indigenous religion of India that orients itself toward the Veda, the sacred texts from the oldest Indo-Aryan period, without actually being Vedic in either its myth or ritual; the religion, that intends to cultivate and pass down the religious customs of the Aryas, but that nevertheless absorbed and created anew many things that did not belong to the original Ârya religion. The word Hinduism came into use only in the 19th century; it would be more correct historically to speak of the Arya religion or the group of Arya religions. The word Arya denotes thereby a cultural community, the elite classes of which called themselves Arya throughout the centuries. The religion of this cultural community, which spread throughout the immense area of India, is in truth a group of religions which have much in common between them, but in which there are also many differences and contrasts highly visible diversity of myths, rituals, customs, teachings, and religious views. Among the commonalities belonging to this group of religions is a peculiar concept denoted by the word dharma. I should just mention that Buddhism, which does not recognize the Veda and, therefore, cannot be considered part of Hinduism, also has a concept of dharma, but I cannot consider it here.
Three-Dimensional Fetal Head

The fetal head is three dimensional (3D). As 3D sonography becomes a clinical reality, there is a need to describe standard biometric parameters by which the head shape, proportions, and volumes may be measured and analyzed. This particular study presents measurements and methods that are applicable to newer 3D imaging systems. These measurements will provide consistent methods for evaluating the size, shape, and proportions of the fetal skull using orthogonal planes. In this research, three diameters of the fetal skull were measured and analyzed using standard real-time sonographic equipment. The biparietal diameter (BPD) measurements and the three diameters' averages (3D BPD) were compared using at test of paired two-sample means; no significant difference was found (p = .497,r2 = 0.996). The 3D BPD is equal to the normal BPD, that is, (FOD + BPD + VCD)/3 = BPD. The 3D BPD can be used in any regression or nomogram in place of the BPD to correct for head shape and molding.
Maximum Incubation Temperature of the Threadfin Shad, Dorosoma petenense

Abstract Eggs of the threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) can gastrulate at temperatures up to 36 C. Successful incubation seems to be limited to temperatures below 34.2 C.
High-brightness-solar-pumped Nd:YAG laser design

ABSTRACT We have designed a Nd:YAG laser to be pumped by the High-Flux Solar Furnace(HFSF) at the NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory. Based on the unique features ofthe HFSF, the design objectives arehigh brightness and superior efficiency in primary mirror area utilization. The HFSF has a primarymirror of 1 1 .5 m2 and a 1 85 f-number. With such a high f-number, the target is set off-axis and do notblock incoming solar flux. Moreover, large f-number enables concentration which approaches thetheoretical limit, and a two-dimensional non-imaging concentrator deposits the solar flux onto theinternal part ofa 10mm diameter laser rod. For high brightness, we plan a wide low-loss fundamentalmode and a laser rod aperture that suppresses high order modes. To get a fundamental mode, ofup toa 2.5 mm waist, we have designed a convex-concave resonator, following well-known g1g2=O.5 designfor resonators with internal beam focusing. We have used the edge ray principle to design theconcentrator, and ray traced the deposited power inside the laser rod. A 1.3% Nd doping levelsupports a maximal power deposition inside a 5mm diameter.Keywords: solar, brightness, furnace, non-imaging, resonator, convex-concave, thermal lensing.
The Effect of Irradiation and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Quality of Intact Chill‐stored Turkey Breast

: Fresh skinless turkey breasts packaged in air or nitrogen gas were either irradiated (2.4 to 2.9 kGy) or not and stored at 2 °C. Samples of raw and cooked turkey were evaluated by a descriptive panel at 2, 5, 8, 19, and 22 d of storage. Half of each cooked sample was sealed in a polyethylene bag, stored for an additional 3 d, and then evaluated. Color and tocopherol content were measured. Irradiation affected color, odor, flavor, and levels of alpha-tocopherol. Irradiated samples had a more intense pink color and acrid/irradiation odor. Irradiation reduced alpha-tocopherol levels by 33%. Irradiated cooked turkey had less turkey flavor, but higher metallic flavor, than non-irradiated turkey. After the additional 3rd d of storage at 2 °C, cooked samples originally packaged in air had a stale flavor of low intensity that was absent in originally nitrogen-packaged samples.
Carcinoma of the fallopian tube: a clinicopathological study of 105 cases with observations on staging and prognostic factors.

One hundred five cases of carcinoma of the fallopian tube were subjected to a clinicopathological study to investigate the validity of various prognostic factors. A higher stage of tumor, an absence of closure of the fimbriated end of the tube, and an age of 66 years or older were the major predictors of a shorter length of recurrence-free postoperative survival in a univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, however, stage was a highly significant prognostic factor, absence of fimbriated-end closure, marginally significant, and older age, not significant. Within Stage I cases the presence or absence of invasion of the tubal wall, the depth of invasion when present, and the location of the tumor within the tube (fimbrial or nonfimbrial) appeared to be prognostically important. These findings strongly suggest that the FIGO staging system should be expanded to permit staging of noninvasive tubal carcinomas and fimbrial carcinomas, which cannot be staged according to the current system, and that depth of invasion of the tubal wall merits future investigation as an additional prognostic factor.
Electrical degradation of Photovoltaic modules caused by lightning induced voltage

Lightning strikes can lead to failure and cause degradation of Photovoltaic (PV) modules. The paper studies the electrical degradation of a polycrystalline silicon PV module (rated 6 V, 1.5 W) caused by lightning induced voltage. The PV module was subjected to 1.2/50 μs standard lightning impulse voltages with positive polarity. The peak voltage of these testing lightning impulse voltages are 1000 V. Two groups of experiments were performed. Samples in test group one were subjected to lightning impulse voltage tests up to 3000 impulses. Their Current-Voltage (I-V) characteristics were presented. In test group two, heat treatment was performed to a PV module until bubbles appeared in its insulation layer. Then, this module was taken into lightning impulse voltage test at the same test condition as in test group one. Comparisons are made between test group one and two. The lightning impulse voltage causes strong degradation of the sample with bubbles that leads to breakdown of the PV module.
Independence and mappings in model-based decision support systems

Abstract Independence of applications from logical and physical data structures is one of the cornerstones of modern database systems. Similar concepts may be applied to model management in a decision support system (DSS) to facilitate model portability, sharing, and multi-purpose application. In this paper we define the concepts of model/data and model/ solver independence, present an extended architecture for DSS, and show its implementation. The architecture supports separate solver, model, and data bases and uses mappings to integrate them. Computationally-equivalent solvers support portability, while non-computationally-equivalent solvers allow a model to be used without modification for different purposes (what if, goal seeking, optimization). The implementation integrates an SQL database system with a mathematical modeling language.
Coherent synchrotron radiation analysis for the photoinjected energy recovery linac and UVFEL projects at the NSLS

Coherent Synchrotron Radiation (CSR) effects in bunch compressors are analyzed. Schemes for reducing the CSR effects are presented.
Consumer Complaint Handling as a Strategic Marketing Tool

Effective complaint‐handling by an organization can result in such benefits as consumer satisfaction, company / brand loyalty, favorable word‐of‐mouth publicity and decreased litigation. Therefore, organizations should consider the application of strategic marketing concepts when establishing complaint‐handling policies. Alternative strategies are proposed and a model for formulating a complaint‐handling strategy is described.