cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3.01 – Fe Acquisition

The majority of bacteria need iron to grow. Due to the importance of iron, bacteria have evolved multiple strategies to obtain this nutrient. The most common pathways include secretion and uptake of low-molecular-weight iron(III) chelators termed siderophores, receptor-mediated iron uptake from transferrin, lactoferrin, or heme-containing proteins, as well as secretion of hemophore proteins to bind host Fe-heme. Iron-uptake systems have been recognized in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This chapter provides an overview of the various mechanisms of microbial iron uptake.
Progress in ovarian tissue cryopreservation in female fertility preservation

Ovary is an important reproductive organ of the female. It is a natural follicle pool which rich in many follicles at different developmental stages. Primitive follicles, which are concentrated in the ovarian cortex, are more tolerant to cryopreservation agent than growth follicles, so the cryopreservation of ovarian cortex tissue is a safer, effective and highly potential method for preserving female fertility. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation can preserve a large number of oocytes at one time. However, ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an experimental technology, and its clinical application is faced with many difficulties and obstacles. This article will focus on the technology and graft of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and its application and direction in female fertility preservation. Key words: Ovarian tissue; Cryopreservation; Fertility preservation
The Distal Role of Adolescents' Awareness of and Perceived Discrimination on Young Adults' Socioeconomic Attainment among Mexican-Origin Immigrant Families.

Cultural-ecological frameworks posit that there are harmful effects of social stratification on developmental outcomes. In particular, awareness of aspects of social stratification in society and interpersonal experiences of discrimination, more generally and within specific contexts, may differentially influence outcomes across life stages; yet, few studies have examined the distal effects during adolescence on early adult developmental outcomes. The current study fills this gap by examining distal mechanisms linking adolescents’ (Time 1: ages 13–15) awareness of and perceived general and school discrimination to young adults’ (Time 3: ages 23–25) socioeconomic attainment (i.e., educational attainment, occupational prestige, earned income) through adolescents’ (Time 2: ages 16–18) academic adjustment (i.e., grades and educational expectations). The study also examined variation by adaptive culture (i.e., English and Spanish language use behavior, familism values) and youth gender. Data are from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (N = 755 Mexican-origin adolescents and their foreign-born parents; 51.5% male adolescents; Time 1 M age = 14.20 years). The results revealed that adolescent’s awareness of societal discrimination (Time 1) related to adolescents’ higher grades (Time 2), which, in turn, related to higher educational attainment and occupational prestige in early adulthood (Time 3). For young women, but not men, sources of perceived discrimination within the school context during adolescence related to lower educational attainment. Additional variation by adaptive culture and gender was also found. Implications discussed are related to positive development among Mexican-origin youth in immigrant families.
100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Solid Polymer Electrolytes in Cathode Electrodes for Lithium Batteries. Current Challenges and Future Opportunities

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are an important class of ion-transporting materials for enabling safe and high-energy-density all-solid lithium batteries. Within the composite cathode electrode ...
Respiratory Motion Mitigation and Repeatability of Two Diffusion-Weighted MRI Methods Applied to a Murine Model of Spontaneous Pancreatic Cancer

Respiratory motion and increased susceptibility effects at high magnetic fields pose challenges for quantitative diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) of a mouse abdomen on preclinical MRI systems. We demonstrate the first application of radial k-space-sampled (RAD) DWI of a mouse abdomen using a genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) on a 4.7 T preclinical scanner equipped with moderate gradient capability. RAD DWI was compared with the echo-planar imaging (EPI)-based DWI method with similar voxel volumes and acquisition times over a wide range of b-values (0.64, 535, 1071, 1478, and 2141 mm2/s). The repeatability metrics are assessed in a rigorous test-retest study (n = 10 for each DWI protocol). The four-shot EPI DWI protocol leads to higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in diffusion-weighted images with persisting ghosting artifacts, whereas the RAD DWI protocol produces relatively artifact-free images over all b-values examined. Despite different degrees of motion mitigation, both RAD DWI and EPI DWI allow parametric maps of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) to be produced, and the ADC of the PDAC tumor estimated by the two methods are 1.3 ± 0.24 and 1.5 ± 0.28 × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively (p = 0.075, n = 10), and those of a water phantom are 3.2 ± 0.29 and 2.8 ± 0.15 × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively (p = 0.001, n = 10). Bland-Altman plots and probability density function reveal good repeatability for both protocols, whose repeatability metrics do not differ significantly. In conclusion, RAD DWI enables a more effective respiratory motion mitigation but lower SNR, while the performance of EPI DWI is expected to improve with more advanced gradient hardware.
Exitability and Institutional Quality

We study the empirical relationship between the quality of economic institutions and ease of territorial exit in a cross-section of countries by introducing several new variables that measure how difficult or easy it is for citizens to exit. Theoretically, the easier it is to emigrate from a country’s jurisdiction — the higher the country’s exitability — the more difficult it will be to extract rents from citizens and institutional quality should be better. We introduce measures of exitability based on the relationship between the length of borders relative to country size. Greater access to exit options makes a country more exitable. Thus, greater exitability facilitates “voting with one’s feet” that could generate Tiebout-like competition between self-interested rulers who wish to maximize their rents through an optimal combination of extraction and the size of the economic base. We demonstrate a strong relationship between exitability and institutional quality in multiple specifications and contribute to the emerging literature on the origins and determinants of economic institutions.
Pulmonary Hypertension Complicating Pregnancy

This study aims to describe the pathophysiology of pregnancy in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and review recent literature on maternal and fetal outcomes. There is an increasing number of pregnant women with PH. Maternal mortality in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) ranges from 9 to 25%, most commonly from heart failure and arrythmias. The highest risk of death is peri-partum and post-partum. Fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality are also substantial. There are high rates of prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and preeclampsia. Women should be referred to expert centers for management. Combination PAH therapy with parenteral prostacyclin and a phosphodiesterase type V inhibitor is recommended. Induced vaginal delivery is preferred, except in cases of severe heart failure or obstetric indications for cesarean section. Despite advances in management, pregnancy in PAH remains a high-risk condition and should be prevented.
Measurement error and reliability of TMS metrics collected from biceps and triceps in individuals with chronic incomplete tetraplegia.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used to investigate corticomotor neurophysiology associated with functional recovery in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). There is insufficient evidence about test–retest measurement properties of TMS in SCI. Therefore, we investigated test–retest agreement and reliability of TMS metrics representing corticomotor excitability, output, gain, map (representation), and inhibition in individuals with cervical SCI. We collected TMS metrics from biceps and triceps muscles because of the relevance of this proximal muscle pair to the cervical SCI population. Twelve individuals with chronic C3–C6 SCI participated in two TMS sessions separated by ≥ 2 weeks. Measurement agreement was evaluated using t tests, Bland–Altman limits of agreement and relative standard error of measurement (SEM%), while reliability was investigated using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). We calculated the smallest detectable change for all TMS metrics. All TMS metrics except antero-posterior map coordinates and corticomotor inhibition were in agreement upon repeated measurement though limits of agreement were generally large. Measures of corticomotor excitability, output and medio-lateral map coordinates had superior agreement (SEM% 0.75). The smallest detectable change for TMS metrics was generally high for a single individual, but this value reduced substantially with increase in sample size. We recommend use of corticomotor excitability and recruitment curve area owing to their superior measurement properties. A modest group size (20 or above) yields more stable measurements, which may favor use of TMS metrics in group level modulation after SCI.
Mental Models and Interpretability in AI Fairness Tools and Code Environments

The real-world impacts of social biases in artificial intelligence technologies has come increasingly to the fore in the last several years. Basic comprehensions and translations for how biases are represented in data is seen as a key step forward in mitigating harms in AI products and services. This paper examines the core issues of mental models with users and developers working with AI models, metrics, and interpretability in AI. With the assumption that users of tools such as IBM’s AI Fairness 360 and Google’s What-if Tool work within the environment of computational notebooks, such as those developed by Project Jupyter or Google Colab, this paper looks at the use of notebooks for visualization, collaboration, and narrative. In examining the design implications for these tools and environments, new directions are proposed for the development of more critical interactive tools to empower data science and aI teams to build more equitable AI models in the future.
Leitbilder zur umweltverträglichen Gestaltung des industriellen Fortschritts

Das meiste, was gesellschaftlich von Bedeutung ist, wurde in entwickelten Landern in Form von Gesetzen, Rechtsverordnungen, Verwaltungsvorschriften und Normen als Verbote, Gebote, Anreizsysteme, Richtlinien, Kriterien und Pflichten bereits geregelt. Dies gilt auch fur die Technik — insbesondere fur deren umweltvertragliche Gestaltung und Anwendung.
A Progressive Encephalopathy in Children with Renal Failure in Infancy

Most of the chapters in this volume relate to the nutritional state of adult patients with end-stage renal disease. Dr. Holliday has addressed the contribution of undernutrition to poor statural growth in children with developing uremia. This chapter expands upon his and outlines the devastating effects of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) on the developing central nervous system (CNS) of infants.
Basis for Variable Response of Arboviruses to Guanidine Treatment

The effect of guanidine on the replication of the group A arboviruses, Sindbis virus, and Semliki Forest virus (SFV) was studied. Guanidine rapidly, but reversibly, inhibited SFV ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. The synthesis of all species of viral RNA was inhibited, but that of ribonuclease-resistant forms was least affected. This inhibition occurred when the drug was added at any point during the log phase of virus growth. The growth of SFV was also markedly inhibited, but Sindbis virus growth was unimpaired. Infection of guanidine-treated cells with the viruses together resulted in a significant inhibition of the yields of both. It appears that, in the case of Sindbis virus, viral RNA is ordinarily produced in such excess that inhibition of its synthesis does not reduce virus yields. In the case of SFV, guanidine also markedly distorts the pattern of RNA synthesis by greatly decreasing the production of the 26S interjacent RNA form. This may account for the observed inhibition of SFV growth in the presence of guanidine.
A meta-analysis of interventions to improve care for chronic illnesses.

OBJECTIVE The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is a framework aimed at improving chronic illness care. We used empirical data from previously published literature to address two research questions: 1) do interventions that incorporate one or more elements of the CCM result in improved outcomes of interest for specific chronic illnesses; and 2) are any elements essential for improved outcomes?
Developing and Applying Green Building Technology in an Indigenous Community: An Engaged Approach to Sustainability Education.

Purpose – This paper aims to disseminate an innovative approach to sustainability education in construction‐related fields in which teaching, research, and service are integrated to provide a unique learning experience for undergraduate students, faculty members, and community partners.Design/methodology/approach – The paper identifies the need for sustainability education in fields related to construction and describes an interdisciplinary course at Penn State that addresses this need. The goals, research, and applications of the course are detailed, as is the sustainable construction technology employed in course projects. Finally, the results from two course assessments are summarized to support the authors' hypothesis that knowledge best occurs and develops in an arena of negotiation, collaboration, and creation.Findings – Students who participate in the course experience well‐rounded growth that includes, but is not limited to, increased research, design, communication, and collaboration skills, a fi...
The expanding role of communicators

The paper discusses the expanding role of communicators and the changes in communication opportunities and requirements that have led to this new role. Scientists and communicators, though different in their communication goals and approaches, now must redefine how they deal with communication issues and how they work with each other. Communicators who expand their roles and assume a broader range of responsibilities will have much to contribute to science and to their technical colleagues. The major factors leading to these changes include the following: today's technical audiences are more diverse than yesterday's; scientists and communicators must respond to new demands for information; and the scientific balance of power is shifting-a new perspective has developed on who "owns" scientific knowledge. >
Behavior of a minimum-effort control algorithm for a multi-jointed robotic arm

The authors explore the behavior of a minimum-effort control algorithm, developed for a multi-jointed robotic arm, operating in an environment with obstacles. The algorithm generates several humanlike arm movement strategies and selects the best strategy on the basis of expendable effort. The algorithm has an inherent basis for dealing with obstacles in an efficient manner. It finds the entire solution space, that is, the joint positions for reaching a desired end-effector position. The control algorithm implementation results are given. It has been observed that cooperating robotic joint motion has a significant degree of concurrency; thus, parallel processing techniques are implementable. >
Dividend Payouts and Corporate Governance Quality: Evidence from the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS)

Motivated by agency theory, we investigate how a firm’s overall quality of corporate governance affects its dividend policy. Using a large sample of firms with governance data from The Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), we find that firms with stronger governance exhibit a higher propensity to pay dividends and, for dividend payers, pay larger dividends. The results are consistent with the notion that shareholders of firms with better governance quality are able to force managers to disgorge more cash through dividends, thereby reducing what is left for expropriation by opportunistic managers. We employ the two-stage least squares (2SLS) approach to cope with possible endogeneity and still obtain consistent results. Our results are important as they show that corporate governance quality does have a palpable impact on critical corporate decisions such as dividend policy.
Thermally actuated, bi-stable, snapping silicon membranes

Thermally actuated, bistable, snapping silicon membranes have been fabricated on a silicon wafer and tested. Nonlinear finite element analysis has been used to model the snapping behavior of the membranes and to refine their design. A unique feature of these membranes is that after snapping down, they remain in the downward buckled state as the temperature decreases back to its starting point. The critical snapping temperature range is 50/spl deg/C-60/spl deg/C for 2 mm square, 6 /spl mu/m thick membranes with 1 /spl mu/m SiO/sub 2/ on top and 3 /spl mu/m aluminum deposited on the backside. The snapping temperature can be varied by changing the dimensions and materials used in the membrane fabrication.
Source and amount of dietary nonspecific nitrogen in relation to whole-body leucine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine kinetics in young men.

We studied the effects of amount and source of nonspecific nitrogen (NSN) on the oxidation of leucine and hydroxylation of phenylalanine. In phase 1, seven adult males received for 6 d diets providing indispensable amino acid intakes to meet the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU (FAO) requirements or our proposed requirement values (MIT). During one diet period with each diet, the NSN of the basal diets (total nitrogen intake: 107 mg N.kg-1.d-1) was increased to a total of 160 mg N.kg-1.d-1. On the morning of day 7, an 8-h constant intravenous tracer-infusion protocol (3-h fast; 5-h fed state) was conducted with L-[1-13C]leucine, L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine, and L-[3,3,2H2]-tyrosine as tracers. In phase 2, six subjects were given three diets for 6 d, supplying 107 mg N.kg-1.d-1; NSN was a mixture of dispensable amino acids in which glutamine accounted for 0%, 12.5%, and 100% of total NSN. Leucine oxidation and phenylalanine hydroxylation rates and whole-body leucine and phenylalanine balances were unaffected by addition of supplemental NSN to the diets in phase 1 or by amino acid source of NSN in phase 2. Leucine and phenylalanine balances were lower (P < 0.05) for FAO compared with MIT diets.
Adaptation of the bicinchoninic acid protein assay for use with microtiter plates and sucrose gradient fractions

The bincinchoninic acid protein assay has been adapted for use with microtiter plates and a plate reader to reduce the time needed for analyses. The total volume of the assay was reduced to 0.21 ml with various ratios of sample to reagent volume being used. The assay is sensitive to a limit of less than 1 microgram of bovine serum albumin. The assay is insensitive to the presence of the detergents sodium dodecyl sulfate, Triton X-100, and deoxycholate. In addition, the method has been adapted for determining the protein concentrations of sucrose density gradient fractions, which eliminates the need for removing the sucrose prior to assay.
Effects of reversible noise exposure on the suppression tuning of rabbit distortion-product otoacoustic emissions.

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at 2f1-f2 can be suppressed by the introduction of a third “suppressor” tone. Plotting the suppression of the DPOAE level against the changing frequency and level of the suppressor produces frequency-tuning functions referred to as suppression tuning curves (STCs). The dominant features of STCs, including their shape, are similar to the features of neural tuning curves (NTCs) recorded from single auditory nerve fibers. However, recent findings using reversible diuretics suggest that STCs do not provide the same measure of cochlear frequency selectivity as provided by NTCs. To determine if STCs are also insensitive to the adverse effects of excessive sounds, the present study exposed rabbits to a moderate-level noise that produced temporary threshold shift-like (TTS) effects on DPOAEs, and examined the influence of such exposures on STCs. DPOAEs were produced using primary tones with geometric-mean frequencies centered at 2.8 or 4 kHz, and with L1 and L2 va...
A 5-year evaluation of a postgraduate teaching certificate programʼs effect on self-perceived teaching abilities

Abstract Objective To assess the effect of a yearlong postgraduate teaching certificate program (TCP) on self-perceived teaching abilities. Methods Participants characterized perceived teaching abilities on a 5-point Likert scale upon entry and completion of the TCP using a 29-item teaching self-assessment instrument (1 = very poor, 2 = poor, 3 = barely acceptable, 4 = good, and 5 = very good). Four teaching-related domains were assessed: delivery of content, assessment of student learning, providing student feedback, and modeling the profession. Pre- and post-program self-assessment scores were compared using paired t -tests. Results During five program years, 81 participants completed teaching self-assessments upon entry and completion of the one-year program. Overall, teaching abilities increased significantly during the program (3.4 ± 0.4 vs. 4.4 ± 0.3, p p Conclusion Participation in the TCP results improved self-perceived teaching abilities across all program objectives over the program year, thus validating the program design and content. Such development is beneficial given the increasing expectation for pharmacists to act as effective educators.
Effects of Selected Variables on the Extractability of Oils from Coacervate Capsules

The hypothesis that certain pharmaceuticals may be stabilized by coacervation led to the investigation of encapsulation requirements for pharmaceutical oils. Saponification values, acid values, and surfactant properties were imparted to light liquid petrolatum by the introduction of oils with high saponification values, organic acids, and surfactants. The effects of these substances on the degree of protection offered by coacervation were determined by submitting the coacervates to extraction with ethyl ether for periods up to 1 hour, then comparing the extracts spectrophotometrically to known absorption spectra. Results showed that saponification values had little effect on encapsulation and that acid values and surfactants decreased the degree of encapsulation.
Is patient satisfaction a legitimate outcome of pain management

Though many studies have measured patient satisfaction with pain management using the American Pain Society (APS) Satisfaction Survey or its variants, little is known about the relationship among the survey items, or whether items relate to satisfaction at all. In an effort to refine the measurement of patient satisfaction, a modified version of the APS survey, which was given to 787 patients as part of a study of postoperative pain management in six community hospitals, was subjected to principal components analysis to determine the survey's empirical structure. Correlations among the five components found were low; a weak relationship (r = -0.24) was discovered between pain intensity and satisfaction. A heuristic model estimated by structural equations analysis yielded additional insights. Though many items thought to influence patient satisfaction were not closely related to patient-reported satisfaction, they indicate important clinical factors relevant to quality of care, and thus, to continuing quality improvement (CQI) efforts. Results suggest that satisfaction was influenced by effectiveness of medication, independent of pain intensity, and by communication. Pain severity ratings near the time satisfaction was measured were more influential than earlier ratings.
Tax Incentives to Hedge

For corporations facing tax-function convexity, hedging lowers expected tax liabilities, thereby providing an incentive to hedge. We use simulation methods to investigate convexity induced by tax-code provisions. On average, the tax function is convex (although in approximately 25 percent of cases it is concave). Carrybacks and carryforwards increase the range of income with incentives to hedge; other tax-code provisions have minor impacts. Among firms facing convex tax functions, average tax savings from a five percent reduction in the volatility of taxable income are about 5.4 percent of expected tax liabilities; in extreme cases, these savings exceed 40 percent. IF A FIRM FACES A CONVEX TAX FUNCTION, then hedging that reduces the volatility of taxable income reduces the firm's expected tax liability.' For a firm facing some form of tax progressivity, when taxable income is low, its effective marginal tax rate will be low; but when income is high, its tax rate will be high. If such a firm hedges, the tax increase in circumstances where income would have been low is smaller than the tax reduction in circumstances where income would have been high, thus lowering expected taxes. In examining the importance of various motives to hedge, researchers have employed two general methods: survey and regression analysis. There are potential problems with each. For example, some managers might view the information requested in a survey as proprietary or might hesitate to admit that they employ derivatives to speculate rather than hedge. To employ regression methods, researchers must generate proxies for tax status in addition to other firm characteristics. To the extent that a tax variable (e.g., whether the firm has a net operating loss carryforward) proxies for factors such as financial distress as well as tax circumstances, analysts face an identification problem in interpreting the results.
Relating structure to evolution in class II viral membrane fusion proteins

Enveloped viruses must fuse their lipid membrane to a cellular membrane to deliver the viral genome into the cytoplasm for replication. Viral envelope proteins catalyze this critical membrane fusion event. They fall into at least three distinct structural classes. Class II fusion proteins have a conserved three-domain architecture and are found in many important viral pathogens. Until 2013, class II proteins had only been found in flaviviruses and alphaviruses. However, in 2013 a class II fusion protein was discovered in the unrelated phlebovirus genus, and two unexpectedly divergent envelope proteins were identified in families that also contain prototypical class II proteins. The structural relationships of newly identified class II proteins, reviewed herein, shift the paradigm for how these proteins evolved.
Nonlinear constitutive models for pultruded FRP composites

Abstract Three nonlinear multi-axial constitutive models for pultruded fiber reinforced plastic composites are proposed and examined in this study. The first two are macromechanical models that idealize the entire composite material as homogeneous orthotropic under plane stress conditions. The third is a new three-dimensional (3D) micromechanical model where the fiber and matrix responses are explicitly recognized and the nonlinear behavior is expressed at the matrix level. The pultruded composite material system considered in this study consists of two alternating layers of roving and continuous filament mat. The two layers have E-glass/vinylester fiber/matrix constituents. Coupon tests were performed for calibration and verification of the proposed models. Nonlinear response is calibrated using V-notch tests, to generate the axial-shear stress–strain, and uniaxial transverse tests. Off-axis coupons were cut with different roving orientations in order to generate in-plane multi-axial stress states. The nonlinear axial stress–strain curves of the off-axis tests are compared with the predicted curves from the three proposed models. Good agreement is shown for all off-axis angles when comparing the experimental stress–strain curves with those predicted by the 3D micromodel. The nonlinear curves predicted by the two nonlinear orthotropic models are also in good agreement with the experimental results but not for all off-axis orientations. All three models can be easily integrated within a finite element code for the general nonlinear analysis of pultruded composite structures using layered shell or 3D type elements.
Building the Nation’s Cyber Security Workforce: Contributions from the CAE Colleges and Universities

This article presents a view of the necessary size and composition of the US national cyber security workforce, and considers some of the contributions that the government-designated Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) might make to it. Over the last dozen years about 200 million taxpayer dollars have gone into funding many of these CAEs, with millions explicitly targeted to help them build capacity. The most visible intended output has been in the form of around 125 Scholarship for Service (SFS) students per year going mostly into the workforce of the federal government. Surely the output capacity of these 181 colleges and universities is greater than that, and should be helping to protect the rest of US citizens and taxpayers. We take a need-based look at what the nation’s workforce should look like, and then consider some possibilities of what the CAE schools could be doing to help to close the gaps between that perceived need and the supply and demand.
Opposing “both sides”: Rhetoric, reproductive rights, and control of a campus women's center

Synopsis We analyze the rhetoric that high-level administrators used to justify control over a campus women's center's mission statement and programming related to reproductive rights. Appealing to valued cultural abstractions (“both sides,” “tolerance”) and the conventional reification of “The Law,” administrators' rhetorical moves obscured their power, legitimated their decisions, and positioned themselves as magnanimous. We also highlight the ideological codes—what “everyone knows”—that administrators relied on to shape the terms of debate and to bend to right-wing pressures without appearing to do so. We conclude with recommendations for challenging the seemingly benign cast of “both sides.”
Performance Characteristics of a Rapid Immunochromatographic Assay for Detection of Influenza Virus in Children During the 2003 to 2004 Influenza Season

Study objective We evaluate the performance of a rapid assay (Binax NOW) for the detection of influenza A virus in children. Methods The performance of an in vitro rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of influenza A virus was compared to viral culture in 4,383 consecutive respiratory specimens received during the 2003 to 2004 season, which included an influenza A epidemic in October and November of 2003. Results The overall test sensitivity was 61.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 60.3% to 63.2%) and specificity was 95.8% (95% CI 95.1% to 96.3%). In preplanned subset analyses, we found the test more sensitive in infants aged 90 days or younger (sensitivity 70.3%; specificity 96.6%) and less specific during the epidemic (sensitivity 61.7%; specificity 90.4%). Conclusion This rapid assay was highly specific for detecting influenza A in children and thus appears useful for confirming this infection. Because of its limited sensitivity, however, a negative test cannot rule out influenza A.
Global and Modular Two's Complement Cellular Array Multipliers

Two new families of LSI iterative logic arrays are proposed to perform two's complement multiplication based on the Baugh–Wooley algorithm [2]. The global approach is faster and attractive for LSI but limited in size due to current monolithic and packaging technology. The modular approach is better suited to realizing arbitrarily large array multipliers at only slight decrease in speed. The proposed additive multiply modules can be externally programmed by hardwiring to multiply binary numbers in either two's complement or unsigned format. No peripheral logic circuits such as Wallace trees or complementers are needed in constructing the proposed modular multiplication networks. Speed analysis, hardware complexity, packaging, and application requirements of the proposed array multipliers are also provided.
Fuzzy shortest paths

Abstract Shortest Paths are one of the simplest and most widely used concepts in nonfuzzy networks. Fuzzy shortest paths also have a variety of applications but are hampered by the possibility that the fuzzy shortest length may not correspond to an actual path in the network. In this paper we present new models based on fuzzy shortest paths that circumvent this problem and we also give a general algorithm based on dynamic programming to solve the new models. In addition we analyze the fuzzy shortest path algorithms in terms of submodular functions. The analysis concepts developed for fuzzy shortest paths are also discussed in terms of general fuzzy mathematical programming.
The androgenic gland of the shrimp Palaemon dayanus

The androgenic gland of Palaemon dayanusHenderson differs in morphology and anatomy from that of all other known natantian decapods. The gland is attached to the distal extremity of the was deferens as a thin, plate-like structure made up of numerous parallel strands in close juxtaposition. The gland is clearly separated by intervening thick muscle bands from the epithelium of the vas deferens. The structure of the gland shows distinct zones of activity such as growth and degenerating zones. The presence of degenerating zones together with zones of activity in the same gland at the same time is attributed to a holocrine mode of secretion in the androgenic gland.
Is familial hyperparathyroidism a unique disease

Abstract Background. Familial hyperparathyroidism is a rare condition reported to behave more aggressively than sporadic hyperparathyroidism. Methods. A retrospective (1975 to 1995) analysis was performed on 30 such patients. All patients had at least one first-degree relative with surgically treated hyperparathyroidism and no personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia. Results. There were 19 women and 11 men with a mean age of 39 years (range, 13 to 78 years). Fourteen patients (47%) had nephrolithiasis. The mean serum calcium level was 11.6 mg/dl (range, 10.5 to 15.3 mg/dl). Twenty-three primary and 15 repeat explorations (eight recurrent and seven persistent disease) were performed during the study period. Follow-up was obtained on all patients and ranged from 1 to 21 years (mean, 12 years). At the conclusion of the study, hypercalcemia (five recurrent and one persistent) was present in six patients (20%). Conclusions. Familial hyperparathyroidism is a distinct and unique entity. Patients are diagnosed at a young age and have a high incidence of nephrolithiasis. Long-term follow-up is mandatory because of the high incidence of both recurrent and persistent hyperparathyroidism. Surgical treatment should include subtotal parathyroidectomy and routine transcervical thymectomy performed in centers with experience in the management of multiple-gland parathyroid disease.
Strength and Behavior of Hybrid Diaphragms

Advantages of diaphragms using glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) panels in conjunction with plywood panels as sheathing (hybrid diaphragms) are presented in this paper. The strength and behavior of individual connections between GFRP sheathing panels and wood framing are determined through coupon testing. Coupon test results indicate that GFRP sheathing-to-framing connections have significant increases in strength, stiffness, and energy absorption. The strength and behavior of hybrid diaphragms are determined by testing a conventional diaphragm (wood sheathing only) and a hybrid diaphragm. The hybrid diaphragm sustained 34% more load compared to the conventional diaphragm.
How Organizations Interface with Religion: A Typology

In the West, institutions and businesses have for the most part been seen as secular and unconcerned with religion. Interestingly, our study reveals that religion has been present in organizations in several ways. How do organizations respond to religion? Based on our research, in this paper we present a four-part typology of the complex relationship between organizations and religion. These are religion dominated, religion included, religion accommodating, and religion insensitive organizations. We describe how these differing organizations interface with religion, examining the focus, attitudes of owners, employees, and client communities, the products and production processes, services, and the handling of religious activities, rituals, objects, and artifacts. We note that organizations interface with religion in overt and explicit ways and sometimes in subtle and nuanced ways. We conclude with a commentary on the ways religion in organizations have been viewed and identify a potentially useful line of...
40 Gb/s over 590 km of in-ground fiber in a DWDM system

Bossnet is an in-ground testbed for developing optical networking techniques that enable new applications. The use of in-ground fiber (as opposed to laboratory experiments) allows new applications that require high data-rate communications over long distances to be tested. For the experiments described here, the light path includes ten spans of optical fiber with distances varying between 40 km and 73 km located on telephone poles and in the ground near railroad tracks and roadways. After each link, the light is amplified, filtered, and chromatic dispersion compensated. The experiment operates one 40-Gb/s RZ (return-to-zero format) channel at 193.5 THz and seven other channels with 10-Gb/s NRZ (non-return-to-zero format) modulation over a distance of 295 km from Lincoln Laboratory to New London, CT. These channels are dropped from the southbound fiber in New London and are added on the northbound fiber back to Lincoln Laboratory. This experimental arrangement allows the transmitter and receiver to be located in the same laboratory. A ninth channel, at 193.8 THz, carries Gigabit Ethernet traffic in both directions between Lincoln Laboratory and Washington, DC. Model calculations for the optical network produce eye diagrams in excellent agreement with the experimental results.
Chiral resolution of 1,3-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperidine derivatives using high-performance liquid chromatography with a chiral stationary phase

A number of racemic 1,3-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperidines which serve as intermediates in the synthesis of opioid analgesics have been resolved on two commercially available high-performance liquid chromatography columns containing cellulose-based chiral stationary phases: Chiralcel OD and Chiralcel OJ. The resolution results were complementary between the two columns. Also, the polarity of substituents appears to play an important role on the ability of the Chiralcel OD column to resolve pairs of enantiomers.
Comparison of small-area analysis techniques for estimating county-level outcomes.

Abstract Background Since many health data are unavailable at the county level, policymakers sometimes rely on state-level datasets to understand the health needs of their communities. This can be accomplished using small-area estimation techniques. However, it is unknown which small- area technique produces the most valid and precise results. Methods The reliability and accuracy of three methods used in small-area analyses were examined, including the synthetic method, spatial smoothing, and regression. To do this, severe work disability measures were first validated by comparing the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Census 2000 measures (used as the gold standard). The three small-area analysis methods were then applied to 2000 BRFSS data to examine how well each technique predicted county-level disability prevalence. Results The regression method produces the most valid and precise estimates of county-level disability prevalence over a large number of counties when a single year of data is used. Conclusions Local health departments and policymakers who need to track trends in behavioral risk factors and health status within their counties should utilize the regression method unless their county is large enough for direct estimation of the outcome of interest.
Micronutrient Deficiencies in Pediatric Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy that occurs in response to gluten ingestion in predisposed individuals. The autoimmune response results in villous atrophy in the small intestine, the primary site of nutrient absorption. Consequently, micronutrient deficiencies may occur in undiagnosed CD. Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, iron, folate, vitamin B12, and zinc have all been demonstrated in children with CD. Complications as a result of these nutrient deficiencies may affect a child’s growth, development, and overall well-being. The gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only known treatment for CD. Compliance with the diet is vital in correcting and preventing future micronutrient deficiencies. The purpose of this article is to give a background on CD and to present research that has shown micronutrient deficiencies in the pediatric population. The article will also focus on the crucial role of the health care team in both the recognition and management of pediatric patients with CD.
On observer-based control system design with delayed data

A new observer-based control system design method is presented for delayed observation data. The state estimate is generated by estimating the delayed state and extrapolating this estimate to the present time. Implementation of the observer requires only the delayed control input. Stability issues are discussed and the method is illustrated by the example of a pendulum on a cart. Although based on the assumption that all observations are delayed by the same time, the method can be extended to multiple time delays.
Influence of age on survival in childhood spitzoid melanomas

BACKGROUND. Melanoma occurring during childhood and adolescence is rare. Although a few limited studies suggest that the prognosis of childhood melanomas is similar to those in adults, and is dependent on the initial stage of the tumor, there is controversy with respect to the biologic behavior of childhood melanomas. Spitzoid melanoma is a subtype of melanoma with distinct clinical and histopathologic features. The prognosis of spitzoid melanoma in children, despite metastasis, has been suggested to be better than that observed in adults; however, this assertion remains controversial. Whereas a number of spitzoid melanomas with regional lymph node metastasis with no further progression have been reported, cases leading to widespread metastasis and fatal outcomes are also well documented. METHODS. A retrospective review of the literature was conducted between 1949 and 2006. A total of 82 cases of spitzoid melanoma with regional and/or widespread metastasis that occurred in children, 17 years of age and under, were selected for the analysis. RESULTS. The 5-year survival rate in children diagnosed with metastatic spitzoid melanomas between 0 and 10 years of age was 88% compared with 49% in those between 11 and 17 years of age. CONCLUSIONS. The findings support the notion that younger age (≤10) may be associated with longer survival in children with metastatic spitzoid melanomas. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Charge-Transfer Interaction of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) with Platinum and Rhodium Nanoparticles

The vibrational spectra of platinum and rhodium nanoparticles (2.4−7 nm) capped with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) were investigated by deep UV−Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Raman spectra of PVP/Pt and PVP/Rh showed selective enhancement of CO, C−N, and CH2 vibrational modes of the pyrrolidone ring as a result of donor−acceptor interactions between polymer functional groups and surface metal atoms. This was observed in the UV−Raman spectra of PVP-capped metal nanoparticles by in-situ measurements in both reduced and oxidized states. Charge-transfer interactions between the polymer donor groups and surface Pt atoms in the first layer of the PVP/Pt system changed reversibly as a function of metal oxidation state (Pt(II) and Pt(0)), induced by heating under a flow of H2 or O2. In contrast, the UV−Raman spectra of PVP/Rh were not reversible upon heating at 150 °C in an atmosphere of O2, H2/N2, or N2; in this case, fragments of thermal decomposition of PVP on Rh were detected. Furthe...
Structure–function of α1-adrenergic receptors

The Easson-Stedman hypothesis provided the rationale for the first studies of drug design for the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor. Through chemical modifications of the catecholamine core structure, the need was established for a protonated amine, a beta-hydroxyl on a chiral center, and an aromatic ring with substitutions capable of hydrogen bonding. After the receptors were cloned and three alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor subtypes were discovered, drug design became focused on the analysis of receptor structure and new interactions were uncovered. It became clear that alpha(1)- and beta-adrenergic receptors did not share stringent homology in the ligand-binding pocket but this difference has allowed for more selective drug design. Novel discoveries on allosterism and agonist trafficking may be used in the future design of therapeutics with fewer side effects. This review will explore past and current knowledge of the structure-function of the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor subtypes.
Surface Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Plasma Polymerized N-isopropylacrylamide

Surface-immobilized poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM) is currently used for a wide variety of biosensor and biomaterial applications. A thorough characterization of the surface properties of pNIPAM thin films will benefit those applications. In this work, we present analysis of a plasma-polymerized NIPAM (ppNIPAM) coating by multiple surface analytical techniques, including time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. ToF-SIMS data show that the plasma-deposited NIPAM polymer on the substrate is cross-linked with a good retention of the monomer integrity. Contact angle results confirm the thermoresponsive nature of the film as observed by a change of surface wettability as a function of temperature. Topographic and force−distance curve measurements by AFM further demonstrate that the grafted film shrinks or swells depending on the temperature of the aqueous environment. ...
P50 auditory evoked potentials in epilepsy

Abstract Event-related potentials have occasionally been investigated in epilepsy. The P50 auditory evoked potential (AEP), which may have a temporal cortical origin, has not yet been studied in seizure patients. We recorded P50 responses in patients with complex partial seizures (CPS) and secondarily generalized seizures. Fifty patients and 50 controls were compared. The P50 was elicited by paired rarefaction clicks presented first every 10 s and then at five per second, binaurally at 76 dB SL, with 100-ms analysis time, 0.1- to 200-Hz filter bandpass; 100 averages were replicated. P50 was recorded from Fz and Cz with linked ear reference. P50 was reduced in amplitude and prolonged in latency in seizure patients as compared with controls. P50 attenuation with more rapid stimulation as measured by condition-test ratio was greater among controls than in the epilepsy patients. P50 abnormality in partial epilepsy may support suggestions of a frontal or temporal cortical origin for this potential. P50 attenuation differences may be related to interictal behavioral or cognitive effects or could reflect the effects of medications.