cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Synchrony of the Parasite Perilitus coccinellae and its Host Coleomegilla maculata

Dormancy is significant in determining the seasonal interactions between the thelyotokous braconid parasite Perilitus coccinellae and its coccinellid host, Coleomegilla maculata . The parasite's autumnal diapause is maintained by short daylengths and it ends in 50% of the population by the winter solstice. Low temperatures are not required to terminate diapause. The autumnal-hibernal diapause of the host is maintained by short daylengths. By the end of Mar. the photoperiodic control of diapause ends in 50% of the beetles; subsequently temperature and availability of prey determine when oviposition begins. P. coccinellae parasitizes the overwintering C. maculata population twice: during Sept., before the beetles form overwintering aggregations, and again in spring after the beetles disperse.
The Meaning of a Mini

The fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane of the neuron in response to action potentials results in release of neurotransmitter into the synapse. But why are there spontaneous fusion events during which a single synaptic vesicle fuses with the presynaptic membrane in the absence of action potentials? As Verstreken and Bellen explain in their Perspective, it seems that spontaneous fusion does not merely reflect leakage of the synaptic machinery but rather is crucially important for organizing glutamate receptors in the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction of the developing fly ( Saitoe et al.).
Abstract 2460: APC regulates COX-2 independent of Wnt signaling in breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in non-smoking women, and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. The Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene is mutated or silenced by hypermethylation in 18-70% of sporadic breast cancers depending on subtype; however, the molecular mechanisms downstream of APC loss in the breast remain largely unexplored. While inactivation of APC most commonly leads to increased signaling through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, there are multiple, less-investigated functions of APC, including regulation of GSK3β-mediated signaling, proliferation, epithelial polarity, cytoskeletal organization, and DNA repair. Given that restoration of tumor suppressors is a hurdle in treating tumors arising from loss of gene function, it is critical to investigate and understand the downstream signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis. Our laboratory is particularly interested in investigating the effect of APC loss or mutation in breast cancer, and the complex Wnt-independent signaling downstream of APC loss in the breast. We previously demonstrated that Apc mutation accelerates the mouse mammary tumor virus-Polyoma middle T antigen (MMTV-PyMT) transgenic model of breast tumorigenesis independently of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Interestingly, focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Src/JNK signaling was up-regulated and required for the enhanced proliferation and squamous phenotype mediated by Apc mutation. Despite the lack of Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, Apc-mutant mammary tumor cell lines demonstrated enhanced expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), known to be important in triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancers, two aggressive breast cancer subtypes. While treatment with the Src inhibitor (PP2) decreases COX-2 protein expression, there is no effect on the level of phosphorylated JNK, indicating a non-linear signaling pathway. Consistent with this, treatment with an inhibitor of JNK (SP600125) has no effect on COX-2 expression. These data suggest that while Src activation downstream of Apc mutation enhances COX-2 in a Wnt-independent manner, the pathway does not travel through activation of JNK. Therefore, the mechanisms by which Apc mutation initiates this stream of events to enhance mammary tumorigenesis, and the contribution of COX-2 to the phenotypes acquired in Apc-mutant breast cancer remain unclear. Citation Format: Monica K. VanKlompenberg, Claire Bedalov, Jenifer R. Prosperi. APC regulates COX-2 independent of Wnt signaling in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2460. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2460
Minimum Tailwater Flows in Relation to Habitat Suitability and Sport‐Fish Harvest

Abstract The instream flow needs of four sport fishes (rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui, and white crappie Pomoxis annularis) were evaluated in the tailwater below Green River Lake, Kentucky. The Newcombe method, a simple procedure developed in British Columbia that is based on the distribution of water depths and velocities at various flows, was used to predict usable habitat at seven flows. Predicted usable habitat was two to six times greater for rainbow trout than for any of the other species at all flows. Angler harvest corresponded to the predicted abundance for rainbow trout and smallmouth bass, but the catch of channel catfish and white crappies was seasonally greater than expected. The presence of the dam and reservoir apparently disrupted the normal movement and feeding patterns of these species and periodically overrode the relation between usable habitat and abundance assumed in the Newcombe method. The year-round minimum...
Inhibitory effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline on the aggregation of human breast tumour cell line BT-20

DISSOCIATED cells from embryos are able to reaggregate to form multicellular structures resembling those of the original tissue1,2, this ability being inversely proportional to the age of the embryo1,3 or to the age of the cells in tissue culture4. This intracellular adhesion is tissue specific, and is believed to have a key role in growth and morphological differentiation5. It has also been noted that many tumour cell lines can reaggregate in the same condition as embryonic cells6–10. Leighton has observed the formation of small aggregates when tumour cells were grown in cellulose sponge11. He directs attention to the fact that many clinical carcinomas appear as aggregates or nests of cells, and suggests that factors intrinsic to the formation of aggregates are involved in the spread of cancer.
Cramer-Rao Bounds for Target Tracking Problems Involving Colored Measurement Noise

Recursive formulas are derived for computing the Cramer-Rao lower bound on the error covariance matrix associated with estimating the state vector of a moving target from a sequence of biased and temporally correlated measurements. The discussion is limited to deterministic motion with no process noise. Furthermore, the nonlinear mapping from the target state space to the observation space is assumed to be corrupted by additive noise. When the measurement noise process becomes temporally decorrelated, the recursive relation for computing the Cramer-Rao lower bound reduces to that originally obtained by Taylor [1]. Specific noise models are examined, and results are illustrated using an example. For the special case of the random walk process, it is shown that the recursive formula for the Cram?Rao lower bound reduces to the error covariance propagation equations of the prewhitening filter of Bryson and Henrikson [2].
Sign patterns of nonnegative normal matrices

Abstract By a nonnegative sign pattern we mean a matrix whose entries are from the set {+, 0}. A nonnegative sign pattern A is said to allow normality if there is a normal matrix B whose entries have signs indicated by A . In this paper the combinatorial structure of nonnegative normal matrices, in particular, (0, 1) normal matrices, is investigated. Among other results, up to order 5, (0, 1) normal matrices are classified up to permutation similarity. A number of general conditions for sign patterns to allow normality are obtained. Some interesting constructions of nonnegative normal matrices are provided. In particular, a number of bordering results are obtained. Some open problems are also indicated.
ClassySeg: a machine learning approach to automatic stroke segmentation

We present ClassySeg, a technique for segmenting hand-drawn pen strokes into lines and arcs. ClassySeg employs machine learning techniques to infer the segmentation intended by the drawer. The technique begins by identifying a set of candidate segment points, consisting of all curvature maxima. Features are computed for each candidate point based on speed, curvature, and other geometric properties. These features are adapted from numerous prior segmentation approaches, effectively combining their strengths. These features are used to train a statistical classifier to identify which candidate points are true segment points. A beam search is used to approximate the optimal subset of features to use as input to the classifier. ClassySeg is more accurate than previous techniques for user-independent training conditions, and is as good as the current state-of-the-art algorithm for user-optimized conditions. More importantly, ClassySeg represents a movement away from prior heuristic-based approaches towards a more general and extensible approach.
An Ellipsoid Algorithm for linear optimization with uncertain LMI constraints

In this paper, an efficient algorithm based on the ellipsoid method is proposed to solve a linear optimization problem over a set of uncertain Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). First, an Ellipsoid Algorithm (EA) with deep cuts is introduced for solving the set of uncertain LMIs. The proposed ellipsoid algorithm is shown to converge to a probabilistically feasible point with high confidence level and in fewer iterations compared to other EA methods. Then, through a set of new cuts, the objective function is minimized while maintaining the probabilistic feasibility of the solution.
Overcoming Interfacial Interactions with Electric Fields

Electric fields have been shown to orient nanoscopic domains laterally in thin copolymer films effectively. To achieve an orientation normal to the surface, interfacial interactions impose a barrier. Using asymmetric diblock copolymers of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) having cylindrical microdomains, a threshold electric field strength Et was found above which complete orientation of the cylindrical domains was achieved. This threshold field strength was independent of film thickness (for films ∼10−30 μm thick) and could be described by the difference in interfacial energies of the components. At field strengths slightly below Et a coexistence of the domains parallel and perpendicular to the electrode surface was found which is consistent with the introduction of defects via undulations in the structure as one proceeds away from the surface.
Relationships between muscle carnitine, age and oxidative status.

Muscle carnitine levels were examined in 31 younger [mean (SD), 27 (5) years] and 27 older [49 (8) years] men. Needle biopsies were obtained from the lateral gastrocnemius or vastus lateralis muscles and assayed for free and total carnitine concentrations via a 5,5′-Dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) DTNB-linked spectrophotometric procedure. A subgroup of subjects (n = 28) were assessed for citrate synthase (CS) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and type 1 muscle fiber composition (% type I fibers). An additional sub-group of nine subjects was assessed for free and total serum carnitine levels. No mean (SEM) differences in free [21.6 (0.7) vs 20.3 (0.9) μmol·g dry weight-1]] and total [26.4 (0.6) vs 26.1 (0.9) μmol·g dry weight−1) muscle carnitine levels were found between the younger and older subjects, respectively. Correlational data revealed no significant relationships between total muscle carnitine and CS (r = − 0.36), SDH (r = − 0.26), or % type I fibers (r = − 0.16). In addition, there was a low non-significant relationship between serum and muscle total carnitine concentrations (r = − 0.44). These findings suggest that muscle carnitine levels are similar between younger and older males, and there does not appear to be any relationship between muscle carnitine and markers of muscle oxidative potential (i.e., oxidative enzymes, % type I fiber). Since serum carnitine is often used as an indicator of body carnitine status, it is noteworthy that we found a low negative relationship between blood and muscle carnitine concentrations.
Regulation of Glutamine Synthetase by Enzyme Catalyzed Structural Modification

A highly sophisticated mechanism for the regulation of glutamine metabolism in Escherichia coli involves the modification of the enzyme glutamine synthetase by the covalent attachment and release of adenylyl residues. Separate enzymes catalyze the adenylylation and deadenylylation reactions, and these enzymes are reciprocally controlled by the state of nitrogen nutrition of the cell. The resultant structural alterations in glutamine synthetase enable it to change its catalytic potential greatly in response to varying cellular demands, in order to maintain nitrogen homeostasis.
Effects of implicit memory on explicit recall: Set size and word-frequency effects

PIER was designed to explain findings related to tasks involving an encoding phase and a testing phase in which retrieval cues prime the recovery of what has been encoded. The model assumes that retrieval cues initiate the sampling of associated memories linked to the encoded information and that sampled memories are subjected to a recognition check to determine whether they meet criteria specified by the purpose of the retrieval. The model explains how the number of implicitly activated associates linked to a studied word affects its later recovery and predicts that words infrequently experienced will be recovered with greater likelihood than words frequently experienced. This prediction was tested and confirmed in two experiments in which the associative set size and the frequency of the studied words were manipulated. Implications for the study of implicit memory are considered.
A NUMERICAL STUDY OF NECKING IN THE PLANE TENSION TEST

Abstract The boundary value problem for the plane-strain uniaxial tension of a rectangular bar is posed in two ways. In one case the ends of a specimen of compressible elastic-plastic material are assumed to remain shear free. Uniform deformation is terminated by an abrupt bifurcation. The eigenvalue problem governing bifurcation which is based on Hill's variational statement of uniqueness is solved by means of the finite element method. An updating Lagrangian formulation for large elastic-plastic strain is employed. The influence of the rate of work hardening and the specimen slenderness ratio on the bifurcation point is studied and a comparison is made with the conventional engineering criterion for stability. The post bifurcation behavior is then determined. Here the computations along with those for the second case, which considers the entire deformation history of a bar cemented to rigid grips, are based on a variational form of the rate equilibrium equations. The effect of end conditions on the deformations in the necked down bar is assessed.
A STAKEHOLDER APPROACH TO AUDITING

Abstract The US Single Audit Act 1984 is proposed as a convenient mechanism to introduce a social dimension of public accountability to corporate stakeholders. Its emphasis is on the audit of corporate regulation and control compliance. The purpose of this commentary is to critique the proposal from the perspective of audit. The critique is constructed around the idea of audit, and is placed in the context of an observed explosion of audits in practice. The commentary reviews the requirements of the Single Audit Act as they relate to extending the corporate audit from its traditional financial focus, and it specifically deals with the issue of translating the requirements of the Act from the public to the private sector. The argument comments on audit matters such as auditing to provide accountability to stakeholders rather than information for user decisions, and auditor competence and independence. It concludes with an argument that the Single Audit Act proposal could be expanded to an external audit of management rather than be limited to an assessment of managerial controls.
Observations of the instabilities of a round jet and the effect of cocurrent flow

Experimental observations of a fully developed round jet entering a second, less dense, immiscible liquid reveal that cocurrent flow of the outer fluid can eliminate instabilities. Both helical and axisymmetric disturbances were observed.
RNA splicing: Three themes with variations

The coding regions of many eucaryotic genes are interrupted by stretches of noncoding DNA called intervening sequences or introns. The introns are transcribed as part of precursor RNAs and are subsequently deleted by a cleavage-ligation process termed RNA splicing. To make a final count of the ways in which splicing can occur is premature. But on the basis of findings of the past two years, it appears that there may be three general classes of RNA splicing reaction-one for tRNA, a second for nuclear-encoded mRNA, and a third that encompasses nuclear rRNA and mitochondrial mRNA and rRNA. What Defines a Splice Junction? The three classes of RNA splicing reactions can be readily distinguished on the basis of how the splice sites (the phosphodiester bonds to be cleaved and ligated) are specified. In nuclear mRNA precursors, the splice sites are always marked by a sequence resembling
Media coverage of direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

Media coverage of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) genetic testing shapes public perception of such testing. The purpose of this study was to determine and assess the themes presented by U.S. news media regarding DTC genetic testing. We performed a Lexis-Nexis search with the keywords “Direct-to-Consumer” and “genetic test” for news stories published from 2006–2009. The sample was coded on themes of genetic determinism, privacy, discrimination, validity, regulation, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), utility, and cost. Ninety-two news stories were included. Stories displayed moderate genetic determinism and were neutral about validity and utility. Stories indicated that insurance and employers were the most likely sources of discrimination, yet identified the physicians and DTC companies as groups most likely to violate privacy. Stories claimed lack of regulation would harm consumers, but most post-GINA stories did not discuss the law. The costs of tests were frequently included. The results of this study show a broad range of views toward DTC genetic testing and its potential impacts. The genetics community should be aware that the public has been exposed to multiple views of DTC genetic testing when discussing these tests.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of a 40 mm Flat Ascending Colon Polyp with a Duckbill Snare

Abstract Endoscopic resection of large colon polyps should be preferred over a surgical approach as it is less invasive. However, endoscopic mucosal resection of large colon polyps can be technically challenging for the endoscopist. The technique of large polypectomy has been evolving with advances in endoscopy equipment, imaging, and the use of techniques such as raising the polyp by submucosal injection and performing polypectomy in the retroflexed position. In this article, some important aspects of the technique for endoscopic resection of a large flat colon polyp are demonstrated. This article is part of an expert video encyclopedia.
Fuzzy Contexts (Type C) and fuzzymorphism to solve situational discontinuity problems

Generalized solutions to complex problems often suffer from being overly complicated. The main contribution of this paper is to describe an architecture that allows for greater problem generalization without the traditional corresponding increase in complexity. The architecture extends traditional fuzzy logic and is called Fuzzy Contexts or Fuzzy Logic Type-C. Fuzzy logic permits partial membership and values can belong to multiple fuzzy sets. By breaking down a problem space into smaller contexts and allowing algorithms themselves to have relaxed memberships in those contexts, a Type-C solution can support multiple solutions to complex problems. This paper describes how problem spaces may be decomposed into smaller, more easily solvable components and fuzzified together under a Type-C hierarchy. Test results with a simulated robotic navigation system demonstrates how a Type-C implementation is able to improve upon a generalized fuzzy controller.
Sites of Refuge: Refugees, Religiosity, and Public Schools in the United States:

In this article the author examines public schools in the United States as sites where immigrants and refugees express their religious identities as part of their integration processes. In particul...
Conveying Service Quality Through Advertising

Reports on a study attempting to understand whether, and how, service providers try to communicate quality of their services via advertising. Finds that few quality cues are present in magazine advertising for services. Offers examples and suggestions for the effective conveying of quality through advertising messages.
Adaptation of Arcuate Insulin Receptor, Estrogen Receptor-Alpha, Estrogen Receptor-Beta, and Type-II Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Profiles to Chronic Intermediate Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Estrogen-Treated Ovariectomized Female Rats

Insulin and corticosterone signal energy surfeit and deficiency, respectively, to metabolic structures in the brain, including the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARH). This peripheral input may be subject to ovarian control, since ovariectomy (OVX) increases insulin receptor transcripts and decreases glucocorticoid receptor protein in the hypothalamus. The present studies examined the hypothesis that estradiol regulates basal and hypoglycemic patterns of ARH insulin and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression, and governs habituation of these gene profiles to recurring intermediate insulin administration. The premise that estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) gene profiles may be regulated differentially during acute and chronic hypoglycemia in the presence of estradiol was also evaluated. Insulin receptor-beta chain (InsRb), type-II glucocorticoid receptor (GR), ERα, and ERβ mRNA levels in ARH tissue microdissected from estradiol benzoate (EB)- and oil-implanted OVX rats after single or serial sc neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin (NPH) injection were measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. ARH InsRb gene profiles were decreased, relative to baseline, after either one or four NPH injections in OVX + EB rats; mean mRNA levels were significantly lower after serial dosing since basal InsRb transcripts were diminished by precedent NPH treatment. InsRb transcription rates did not differ among OVX + oil treatment groups. Acute insulin elevated ARH GR mRNA relative to baseline in both EB- and oil-implanted rats. Prior NPH injections increased basal GR gene expression and suppressed transcriptional reactivity to a fourth dose of NPH in OVX + EB, but not OVX + oil animals. ARH ERα and ERβ mRNA levels were increased or decreased, respectively, after one insulin dose in OVX + EB rats. Baseline expression of these genes was correspondingly augmented or suppressed after precedent NPH treatment, but ERα and ERβ transcripts were not modified relative to these adjusted baselines after a fourth NPH dose. In the presence of estradiol, ARH InsRb and GR gene profiles exhibit divergent modifications during acute NPH-induced hypoglycemia, as well as opposite adjustments in baseline expression after serial NPH dosing. GR transcriptional acclimation to recurring NPH administration was also estrogen-dependent. Further research is needed to characterize potential effects of adjustments in ARH neuronal sensitivity to insulin and corticosterone on ARH metabolic neurotransmitter release during and after intermediate insulin-induced hypoglycemia in females. The current evidence for converse effects of NPH on ARH ERα and ERβ gene profiles in the presence of estradiol supports the need to identify ARH-directed metabolic activities governed by each ER subtype, including metabolic hormone receptor expression, and to assess the impact of NPH-induced habituation of ER gene profiles on those functions.
Forsaking transformational leadership: Roscoe Conkling, the great Senator from New York

Abstract This essay explores the opportunities for transformational leadership within legislative bodies, particularly the U.S. Senate. Burns asserted that legislative leaders would rarely exercise transformational leadership. He appears to be correct. Even in those rare instances when a House Speaker (Joe Cannon or Newt Gingrich) appears to have a transforming affect, the leadership proves short-lived. Roscoe Conkling, the fiery tempered Senator from New York, possessed many of the individual traits or skills necessary to achieve transformational leadership. That he fell short of achieving this transformative potential is attributable to a combination of contextual and personal factors. This essay examines Conkling's failure to achieve transforming leadership and the institutional impediments to transformational leadership in an attempt to explain why transformative, legislative leaders are rare.
An exploration of the relationships between performance feedback interview characteristics and interview outcomes as perceived by managers and subordinates

The relationships between five performance feedback characteristics (supportive appraisal behaviour, invitation to participate, participation in goal setting, proportion of time spoken, and criticism) and three criterion measures (satisfaction with feedback interview, motivation to improve, and satisfaction with manager) were studied in an organization. Supportive appraisal behaviour was significantly related to all three criteria as perceived by subordinates (n = 78) and satisfaction with feedback interview as rated by managers (n = 39). Invitation to participate had its most significant effect on subordinate satisfaction with the feedback session. Participation in goal setting was most predictive of a subordinate's motivation to improve. Practical applications of these findings for management development are discussed.
Unliganded GroEL at 2.8 A: structure and functional implications.

The three-dimensional structure of the E. coli chaperonin, GroEL, has been determined crystallographically and refined to 2.7 angstrom in two crystal forms: an orthorhombic form from high salt and a monoclinic form from polyethylene glycol. The former is ligand free, the latter is both liganded with ATP analogues and ligand free. These structures provide a structural scaffold upon which to interpret extensive mutagenesis and biochemical studies. GroEL contains two sevenfold rotationally symmetric rings of identical 547-amino acid subunits. The rings are arranged \`back-to-back' with exact dyad symmetry to form a stubby cylinder that is 146 A high with an outer diameter of about 143 angstrom. The cylinder has a substantial central channel that is unobstructed for the entire length of the cylinder and has a diameter of about 45 angstrom except for large bulges that lead into a sevenfold symmetric array of elliptical side windows in each ring. Each subunit is composed of three distinct domains: (i) an \`equatorial' domain that contains the N-and C-terminus and the ATP-binding pocket, (ii) an `apical domain' that forms the opening of the central channel and contains poorly ordered segments that mutational studies implicate in binding unfolded polypeptides and GroES, and (iii) an intermediate domain tht connects the other two domains and may serve to transmit allosteric adjustments.
Placing the Dissonance Measure in the Context of Generalized Information Theory

We place the measures of Consensus and Dissention, tools originally developed to measure consensus in Likert scale data, in the context of the various measures of information profiled in Generalized Information Theory. We also indicate connections between the Consensus and Dissention and the Fisher information measure. Finally, we introduce a targeted measure of agreement.
SYMPTOMLESS INFECTION, PERSISTENCE, AND PRODUCTION OF PYCNIDIA IN HOST AND NON-HOST PLANTS BY PHOMOPSIS BATATAE, PHOMOPSIS PHASEOLI, AND PHOMOPSIS SOJAE, AND THE TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

Phomopsis batatae, P. phaseoli, and P. sojae were able to infect, without production of obvious symptoms, seedlings of sweet potato and of 16 legumes inoculated in the greenhouse. These fungi produced pycnidia on inoculated seedlings incubated in laboratory moist chambers. Under conditions of natural infection in the field, P. sojae was recovered from stems of 14 of 21 legumes. This fungus was also isolated from seeds of cowpea and lima bean as well as from soybean, its usual host. The interpretation of these results questions the validity of regarding these anamorphs as three distinct species. Taken with the close similarity in morphology reported for these taxa in the literature and observed in my own isolates and in herbarium specimens, I conclude that these taxa are all one species, the valid name of which is Phomopsis phaseoli (Desm.) Sacc. For similar reasons, I consider the teleomorphs Diaporthe phaseolorum var. batatatis, var. phaseolorum, and var. sojae to be one and the same taxon, D. phaseolorum (Cooke & Ellis) Sacc. I believe that teleomorphic and anamorphic isolates from stem cankers and blighted tops of soybean should be provisionally called D. phaseolorum f. sp. caulivora and P. phaseoli f. sp. caulivora, respectively, until it can be demonstrated by a non-wounding technique that they can cause these pathological conditions when re-introduced into the host.
Longitudinal Follow-Up of Externalized Riata Leads

Riata family of implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads have demonstrated in situ conductor externalization, prompting a class I recall and the Food and Drug Administration recommendation for fluoroscopic screening. The natural history of externalized Riata leads, however, remains unclear. In this study, we examined the rate of electrical failure in Riata leads with externalized cables. We reviewed medical and implantable cardioverter defibrillator records of all 329 patients with Riata leads who underwent fluoroscopic screening from December 2011 to March 2012 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals. Externalization was present in 76 patients (23%); of whom, 24 (32%) had the Riata lead replaced shortly after screening. The remaining 52 patients were followed for 7.9 ± 2.9 months, during which 5 patients were lost to follow-up and 2 patients exhibited electrical lead failure resulting in lead replacement, an electrical failure rate of 6.4% per year in externalized leads. In conclusion, prospective follow-up data on externalized Riata leads suggest an electrical failure rate in excess of 6% per year. This high failure rate warrants consideration of prophylactic replacement of externalized Riata leads. Further studies examining the natural history of Riata leads are warranted.
Commentary on "the brief serenity scale: a psychometric analysis of a measure of spirituality and well-being".

The purpose of the study by Mary Jo Kreitzer and her colleagues (2009) was to conduct a psychometric analysis of the Serenity Scale, which is purported to measure important dimensions of spirituality and well-being that are sensitive to nursing interventions. Understanding spirituality and having the ability to assess spirituality in patients is relevant to the ability to provide spiritual care. Spirituality as a concept is very broad and has many dimensions (Tanyi, 2002). Berry (2005) discussed operational difficulties in measuring spirituality because of its broad definitions and a lack of clarity in its conceptualization.
Narrow spectral emission CaMoO4: Eu3+, Dy3+, Tb3+ phosphor crystals for white light emitting diodes

Abstract Alkaline earth metal molybdates are promising candidates as a host material for high efficiency narrow spectral emission phosphors. These phosphors could potentially be used for the fabrication of phosphor-converted light emitting diodes (pc-LEDs). Phosphor crystals of calcium molybdate doped with rare earth dopant Ln 3+ (Ln=Eu, Dy, Tb) grown using flux growth method have been shown to exhibit higher excitation efficiency than the powders synthesized by solid-state reaction process. Molybdenum (VI) oxide has been found to be a suitable flux for growing large size optically transparent high quality crystals at a temperature around 1100 °C. Using the excitation wavelengths of 465 nm, 454 nm and 489 nm for CaMoO 4 : Eu 3+ , CaMoO 4 : Dy 3+ and CaMoO 4 : Tb 3+ , respectively, intense emission lines at wavelengths of 615 nm, 575 nm and 550 nm were observed. The optimized doping concentrations of 12%, 2% and 5% for Eu 3+ , Dy 3+ and Tb 3+ , respectively, provided the highest luminescence intensity.
Dating of raised marine and lacustrine deposits in east Greenland using beryllium-10 depth profiles and implications for estimates of subglacial erosion†

Here we combine 10Be depth profile techniques applied to late glacial ice-contact marine and lacustrine deltas, as well as boulder exposure dating of associated features in the Scoresby Sound region, east Greenland, to determine both the surface age and the magnitude of cosmogenic nuclide inheritance. Boulder ages from an ice-contact delta in northern Scoresby Sund show scatter typical of polar regions and yield an average age of 12.8 ± 0.5 ka – about 2 ka older than both our average profile surface age of 10.9 ± 0.7 ka from three depth profiles and a radiocarbon-based estimate. On the other hand, boulder exposure ages from a set of moraines in southern Scoresby Sund show excellent internal consistency for polar regions and yield an average age of 11.6 ± 0.2 ka. The profile surface age from a corresponding ice-contact delta is 8.1 ± 0.9 ka, while a second delta yields an age of 10.0 ± 0.4 ka. Measured 10Be inheritance concentrations from all depth profiles are internally consistent and are between 10% and 20% of the surface concentrations, suggesting a regional cosmogenic inheritance signal for the Scoresby Sound landscape. Based on the profile inheritance concentrations, we explore the first-order catchment-averaged bedrock erosion under the Greenland ice sheet, yielding estimates of total erosion during the last glacial cycle of the order of 2–30 m. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Innovation in the Evaluation of Teacher Professional Development Serving Reform in Science

The authors describe an innovative perspective for the evaluation of professional development programming in science. This perspective focused on a self-critical analysis of the reflective practices developed and used among program participants. This approach ties program quality directly to issues impacting the implementation of curriculum reform in the science classroom. An illustrative case of this innovation in action is presented.
An economic evaluation of the Baldrige National Quality Program.

All federal programs are accountable for their use of public funds. This paper presents conservative estimates of the net social benefits associated with the Baldrige National Quality Award Program, established within the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 1987. On the basis of survey data from members of the American Society for Quality, we estimate cost savings benefits to members, extrapolate those benefits to the economy as a whole, and compare the benefits to the social costs associated with the Program. Our estimation method implies that the ratio of economy-wide benefits to social costs probably exceeds 207:1, supporting the hypothesis that the public investments in quality-standards infrastructure are worthwhile.
Multivalent binding and facilitated diffusion account for the formation of the Grb2-Sos1 signaling complex in a cooperative manner.

Despite its key role in driving cellular growth and proliferation through receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, the Grb2-Sos1 macromolecular interaction remains poorly understood in mechanistic terms. Herein, using an array of biophysical methods, we provide evidence that although Grb2 adaptor can potentially bind to all four PXψPXR motifs — designated herein S1, S2, S3 and S4 — located within the Sos1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, the formation of Grb2-Sos1 signaling complex occurs with a 2:1 stoichiometry. Strikingly, such bivalent binding appears to be driven by the association of Grb2 homodimer to only two out of a four potential PXψPXR motifs within Sos1 at any one time. Of particular interest is the observation that out of a possible six pairwise combinations in which S1–S4 motifs may act in concert for the docking of Grb2 homodimer through bivalent binding, only S1/S3, S1/S4, S2/S4 and S3/S4 do so, while S1/S2 and S2/S3 pairwise combinations appear to only afford monovalent binding. This salient observation implicates the role of local physical constraints in fine tuning the conformational heterogeneity of Grb2-Sos1 signaling complex. Importantly, the presence of multiple binding sites within Sos1 appears to provide a physical route for Grb2 to hop in a flip-flop manner from one site to the next through facilitated diffusion and such rapid exchange forms the basis of positive cooperativity driving the bivalent binding of Grb2 to Sos1 with high affinity. Collectively, our study sheds new light on the assembly of a key macromolecular signaling complex central to cellular machinery in health and disease.
The spectrum of the inner corona observed during the total solar eclipse of 30 May 1965

A series of spectrograms of the inner solar corona were obtained at the total solar eclipse of 30 May 1965 using a fast spectrograph with a circular slit that recorded the spectrum from λ3000 to λ9000 at all position angles around the limb simultaneously. In this paper absolute intensity is given as a function of position angle for the stronger lines and the continuum. In the coronal enhancement or condensation centered at heliocentric position angle 293°, absolute intensity is given for 34 forbidden emission lines and the continuum.
Internal waves in a circular channel

The frequencies of the first four sloshing internal wave modes in two superposed fluid layers contained in a circular channel are calculated for two positions of the free surface and for various ratios of the depths of the two layers. Flow patterns are given for the first four sloshing modes for the case in which the fluids occupy a semicircular space and the depth of the upper layer is one-quarter of the radius.It is hoped that the results obtained will provide a guide for estimating the frequencies of sloshing internal wave modes in long lakes.
Representative Bureaucracy and Bueaucratic Responsibility Problems and Prospects

Scholars concerned with representative bureaucracy have expressed considerable interest in the possibility of a linkage between active and passive representation. However, the theory of representat...
d -equalities of fuzzy sets

Abstract A δ-equality of two fuzzy sets means the two fuzzy sets are equal to each other to an extent of S. In this paper we present basic properties of 6-equality and various results on 6-equality with respect to algebraic operations, fuzzy relations, extension principle and triangular norms. We also present a number of reliability examples to show usability of δ-equality in reality.
Thermodynamic Properties of RuO2

The free energy change for the reaction RuO2(s)+4Cu(s) = 2Cu2O(s)+Ru(s) was determined from 600° to 1000°C from emf measurements on a solid oxide galvanic cell using a stabilized ZrO2 electrolyte. The cell was designed to minimize the reduction of RuO2 by the gas phase. The results were used to develop an equation for the standard molar free energy of formation of RuO2: The standard molar enthalpy and entropy of formation of RuO2 at 298°K were calculated to be −72,430 ±200 cal/mol and –40.44±0.2 eu, respectively, using the available heat capacity data. The absolute entropy of RuO2 at 298°K was calculated to be 15.46±0.2 eu.
The Hellenic rhapsode

(1978). The Hellenic rhapsode. Western Journal of Speech Communication: Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 134-143.
Expressed Occupational Choice of Nontraditional Premedical Students as Measured by the Self-Directed Search: An Investigation of Holland's Theory

This study examined the congruency concept in Holland's theory of vocational choice and the validity of the Self-directed Search interest inventory, utilizing a population of investigative-type stu...
GROWTH OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 AND SALMONELLA SEROVARS ON RAW BEEF, PORK, CHICKEN, BRATWURST AND CURED CORNED BEEF: IMPLICATIONS FOR HACCP PLAN CRITICAL LIMITS

Small amounts (10‐25 g; 6.3‐20.8 cm 2 inoculated area) of raw ground beef, intact beef, pork and chicken (dark and white meat),and bratwurst and cured corned beef were inoculated with Salmonella serovars and Escherichia coli O157:H7, refrigerated 24 h at 5C, and then held either at 10C ( ± 1C) for up to 8 h or at room temperature (22C ± 2C) for up to 2 h. Except for a 0.2 log CFU increase in Salmonella serovars in ground beef during 2 h at room temperature, pathogens did not grow. Results of trials with commercial amounts of beef, pork, chicken, ground beef and bratwurst exposed to 10C for 8 h or 22C for 2 h also showed no pathogen growth. Potential critical limits for processing of previously refrigerated raw meat products are exposure temperatures between 5 and 10C for not more than 8 h or between 5 and 22C for not more than 2 h.
Attention to Elements of Music and Effect of Instruction in Vocabulary on Written Descriptions of Music by Children and Undergraduates

The purposes of this study were twofold: Experiment 1 was designed to assess which elements of music were described by third graders, fourth graders and undergraduate non-music majors in a listening task. Experiment 2 examined the effect of instruction in music vocabulary on children's subsequent descriptions of music. It was found that children differed significantly from undergraduates in overall pattern of descriptions of musical elements. Most children made reference to extramusical, timbre and tempo characteristics; undergraduates commonly referred to extramusical, tempo and pitch/ melody. Instruction in vocabulary produced a significant increase in attention to specified elements of music by thirdand fourth-grade children on a post-test. It was noted that children demonstrated a tendency to limit their responses in number of musical elements described.
Determining pose of 3D objects with curved surfaces

A method is presented for computing the pose of rigid 3D objects with arbitrary curved surfaces. Given an input image and a candidate object model and aspect, the method will verify whether or not the object is present and if so, report pose parameters. The curvature method of Bash and Ullman is used to model points on the object rim, while stereo matching is used for internal edge points. The model allows an object edge-map to be predicted from pose parameters. Pose is computed via an iterative search for the best pose parameters. Heuristics are used so that matching can succeed in the presence of occlusion and artifact and without resetting to use of corresponding salient feature points. Bench tests and simulations show that the method almost always converges to ground truth pose parameters for a variety of objects and for a broad set of starting parameters in the same aspect.
Application of transfer Hamiltonian quantum mechanics to multi‐scale modeling

In quantum mechanical/classical mechanical (QM/CM) partitioning methods for multi-scale modeling, one is often forced to introduce uncontrolled phenomenological effects of the environment (CM) in the quantum (QM) domain, as ab initio quantum calculations are computationally too intensive to be applied to the whole sample. We propose a method in which two qualitatively different components of the information about the state of the CM region are incorporated into the QM calculations. First, pseudoatoms constructed to describe the chemistry of the nearest-neighbor exchange interactions replace the atoms at the boundary of the CM and the QM regions. Second, the remaining effect of the CM bulk environment due to long-range Coulombic interactions is modeled in terms of dipoles. We have tested this partitioning method in a silica nanorod and a three-membered silica ring for which ab initio quantum data for the whole system are available to assess the quality of the proposed partitioning method. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Compact GaAs electro-optic (EO) modulator with ultra low switching voltage and large bandwidth enabled by transparent conducting (TC) bridge electrodes

We propose a compact GaAs EO modulator structure with ultra low switching voltage (∼ 0.5V) and large modulation bandwidth (f 3dBo ≈ 50GHz), enabled by transparent conducting (TC) material as bridge electrodes.
Enhanced Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis Incorporating Engineering Knowledge

Conjoint analysis from marketing has been successfully integrated with engineering analysis in design for market systems. The long questionnaires needed for conjoint analysis in relatively complex design decisions can become cumbersome to the human respondents. This paper presents an adaptive questionnaire generation strategy that uses active learning and allows incorporation of engineering knowledge in order to identify efficiently designs with high probability to be optimal. The strategy is based on viewing optimal design as a group identification problem. A running example demonstrates that a good estimation of consumer preference is not always necessary for finding the optimal design and that conjoint analysis could be configured more effectively for the specific purpose of design optimization. Extending the proposed method beyond a homogeneous preference model and noiseless user responses is also discussed.
Poverty and Neonatal Outcomes: How Nurses Around the World Can Make a Difference

The United Nations (UN) adopted a set of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are aimed at obliterating some of the worst health and social welfare inequities in the world. Significantly reducing childhood mortality is one of the most important goals making neonatal nursing care one of todays most important global health policy issues. Determining the adequate numbers of neonatal nurses required and ascertaining the most appropriate training and education levels are central to the international health care agenda. Over the past decade neonatal nurses from around the globe have expressed an interest in forming an international council of neonatal nurses. The impetus for wanting this group is the need for access to curriculum research continuing education consulting experts and patient information. Globally neonatal nurses recognize the need for continuous education and training as well as access to research in a field with an ever-changing and growing knowledge base. The demand is fora group devoted to improving the care and lives of infants most especially neonates. Focus on neonates is essential because approximately 40 percent of the mortality for children under the age of 5 years occurs in the first 28 days of life. (excerpt)
Is Negative Advertising Effective for Female Candidates?: An Experiment in Voters' Uses of Gender Stereotypes

Female candidates sometimes are discouraged from negative campaigning because they would risk voter backlash by defying gender stereotypes. In this experiment, a negative television campaign advert...