cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chloroplast, mitochondrial, and nuclear microsatellites from the southern Appalachian hornwort, Nothoceros aenigmaticus (Dendrocerotaceae)

 Premise of the study: New microsatellite primers were developed for testing genetic differentiation within Nothoceros aenigmaticus and their potential use in other Nothoceros species. The microsatellites are designed to investigate partitioning of genetic variation in a taxon with a peculiar sex allopatry in the southern Appalachian Mountains and relationships with conspecifi c sexual populations from Mexico.  Methods and Results: We used two methods for microsatellite development: an enriched library and second-generation shotgun sequence reads. From these two methods, a total of nine primer pairs were selected and tested on 89 southern Appalachian N. aenigmaticus accessions, nine Mexican accessions, and 16 N. vincentianus accessions. Three mitochondrial loci were recovered from the enriched library method and six loci from 454 shotgun sequencing: three were from the chloroplast and three from the nucleus. The primers amplifi ed repeats with two to 20 alleles per locus.  Conclusions: New microsatellite primers were developed for testing genetic differentiation within N. aenigmaticus and potentially for use in other Nothoceros species. We present one of the fi rst reports of highly polymorphic mitochondrial microsatellites in plants.
Analysis of a quasi-reversible two-electron cyclic voltammetric wave for an organometallic ir(III)/ir(I) couple at platinum and mercury electrodes

Abstract * CpIr(η-C 6 Me 6 ) 2+/0 ( * Cpη 5 -C 5 Me 5 ) displays Nernstian two-electron voltammetry at a Hg electrode, but quasi-reversible charge transfer kinetics at solid electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) peak shapes and separations change drastically from one solvent to another at Pt, Δ E p values being as small as 170 mV in acetone and as large as 350 mV in CH 3 CN ( v = 0.03 V/s). These variations arise from changes in the relative E ° values of the one-electron Ir(III)/Ir(II) and Ir(II)/Ir(I) couples, and from changes in charge-transfer rates. It is concluded that the Ir(II)/Ir(I) couple has a significantly lower charge-transfer rate than the Ir(III)/Ir(II) couple at platinum electrodes. The sensitivity of the CV curves to the relative E ° values allows the approximate determination of the individual E ° values for each one-electron process. In contrast, Nernstian conditions allow only the average of the two one-electron E ° potentials to be determined. Solvents with higher solvating power are shown to facilitate the thermodynamics of the two-electron transfer process by moving E ° 2 positive with respect to E ° 1 . Possible reasons for the abnormally slow charge transfer rates at Pt electrodes are discussed.
Localized patterns in homogeneous networks of diffusively coupled reactors

Abstract We study the influence of network topology on instabilities of the homogeneous steady state of diffusively coupled, monostable nonlinear cells. A particular focus are diffusion-induced instabilities, i.e., Turing instabilities. We present various theorems that make it possible to determine analytically the stability properties of networks with arbitrary topologies and general monostable dynamics of the individual cells. This work aims in particular to determine those topologies that will give rise to localized stationary patterns. Specific examples focus on well-stirred chemical reactors. The reactors are coupled by diffusion-like mass transfer, and the kinetics is given by the Lengyel–Epstein model, a two-variable scheme for the chlorine dioxide–iodine–malonic acid reaction.
An introductory algorithm teacher

A non-machine specific design of an algorithm teacher is proposed. It is a programmed environment to help students in a beginning computer science course learn problem solving skills. This paper provides an overview of the problem, a motivation and justification, followed by a brief description of what the program should provide the student.
The volume effect in irradiated mouse colorectum

One approach for decreasing rectal complications due to prostate irradiation is to reduce the volume of normal tissue irradiated using conformal radiotherapy. A number of mathematical models have been previously developed to describe the change in associated toxicity with a change in irradiated volume, i.e., the “volume effect,” for serial-type normal tissues, including the rectum. However, limited data are available to test or support these models. One goal of this thesis was to test the hypothesis that there would not be a threshold length, as predicted by the Probability model of the volume effect, in the development of fibrotic obstruction after irradiation of various lengths of C57B1/6 and C3Hf/Kam mouse colorectum. A strain-dependent threshold length was observed, in contradiction of the Probability model predictions. However, the data could be described if the Probability model was modified to include a threshold volume term, i.e., the Threshold Probability model. The mechanism of the threshold was determined to be epithelial regeneration after irradiation. Strain differences were observed for the incidence, histological time of appearance, and spatial location of fibrosis. However, there were no consistent strain differences in mRNA levels or immunolocalization for the pro-fibrotic cytokines TGFbeta 1, 2, 3, and TNFalpha. The data indicate the need for volume effect models that account for biologically important processes, such as the effect of epithelial regeneration after irradiation.
Singular projective bases and the affine Bol operator

We analyze the Vec(S^1)-modules of linear differential operators between spaces of tensor densities on S^1 in the singular case where the projective subalgebra does not act semisimply. We compute bases of these modules which are as close to projectively split as possible. These bases are realized as deformations of appropriate bases in the regular case, using a generalization of the projectively invariant Bol operator. This allows us to compute the action of Vec(S^1) in terms of our bases and to give a formula for composition in terms of them based on the regular composition formula of Cohen, Manin, and Zagier. We conclude with remarks on writing the singular composition formula in terms of singular analogs of transvectants.
A Century of Agronomic Education

Journals published by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) richly chronicle the growth and success of agronomic education. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Agronomy Journal, we compiled this historical recognition of the aggregate effort of our predecessors and colleagues. Their talented and dedicated legacy has played a significant role in feeding the world while protecting soil and water resources. By consulting our past we seek wisdom for the future, knowing that educational challenges of equal significance wait. The first volume (1909) included an article on instruction in soil physics and approximately 650 more education articles have since appeared. Most early articles focused on soils and crops course descriptions and their need for standardization. Then emphasis switched to teaching methods, aids, philosophies, student characteristics, evaluation, and curricula. Contributions from land-grant institutions have been most numerous, but other sources are becoming more common. The number of articles has steadily increased, as has author collaboration on articles, growing from only about 10% in early years to about 70% in recent editions. We hope our abbreviated summary of the past stimulates you into consulting the writings of your esteemed predecessors and that you find validation of your efforts toward making a difference in some future agronomic record. As global pressures increase the demands on agronomic education, history may provide a pattern for success. Past achievements suggest that agronomic education is well-founded and can be expected to impact the next century of learning as capably as it did its first century.
Unidirectional waves on rings: Models for chiral preference of circumnutating plants

Twining plants exhibit a striking oscillation of their stems in their quest for a support. The oscillations, called circumnutation, have periods generally of 1–5 hr, and virtually all species have a preferred direction of twining. I seek to explain these chiral asymmetries in plant behavior by hypothesizing a chiral asymmetry in plant anatomy. Such asymmetries already exist, for example, in phyllotaxis. I explore wave phenomena on asymmetric but isotropic rings, and seek systems which will only support (stable) waves in one direction around the ring, and not in the other. Simulations indicate that (1) oscillatory reaction-diffusion systems do not support unidirectional waves on rings; (2) excitable reaction-diffusion systems do support unidirectional waves on rings; and (3) unidirectional phase-locking (discrete unidirectional waves) occurs in rings of coupled oscillators. Thus, chiral asymmetries of circumnutating plants cannot be explained by continuum oscillator phenomena, but can be explained by general discrete oscillators, or excitable phenomena on the continuum.
Polarization‐independent operation of reflective fiber ring resonators

The fringe shape stability of fiber ring resonators that incorporate an orthoconjugate reflector (OCR) is discussed. A resonator with a 90° polarization rotation and an OCR displays a stable fringe shape upon reflection, independent of the input polarization and of the loop birefringence. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
On the preattentive accessibility of stereoscopic disparity: evidence from visual search.

We examined the generality of the claim that stereoscopic disparity is detectable in parallel across the visual field. Using a search paradigm with random-dot stereograms, we varied the relative disparity of target and distractor items. When both target and distractors had crossed disparities, both search functions (i.e., target in front of distractors and target behind distractors) were linear with positive slopes. When both target and distractors had uncrossed disparities, the pattern of results depended upon whether the target was in front of or behind the distractors—specifically, when the target was in front of the distractors, search functions were similar to those seen for “crossed” search, but when the target was behind the distractors, a nonlinear search function was found. Finally, when the target and distractors straddled the plane of fixation, a nonlinear search function was found when the target was in front of the distractors; however, when the target was behind the distractors, a linear search function with a large positive slope was found. We show that the nonlinear search functions are consistent with the effects of an intervening global surface percept. We also show that the size of the stimulus display may be a factor in some relative depth cases. Additionally, we replicate Steinman’s (1987) finding that search is parallel when the distractors are located at the plane of fixation and the target disparity is crossed, eliminating monocular and spatial cues to target presence that may have been present in his original study. In a final control experiment, we showed that reaction times did not increase with set size when observers performed another kind of perceptual task on similar random-dot stereogram displays. This eliminates the possibility that some of the results obtained here can be explained by increases in the difficulty of perceiving/fusing the stimuli when the number of distractors is increased.
Doppler evidence of improved fetoplacental hemodynamics following amnioreduction in the stuck twin phenomenon.

Background Doppler ultrasound of the umbilical cord has been used to assess stuck twin pregnancies, with variable results. We describe a case of immediate improvement in the umbilical artery velocimetry of a stuck twin following amnioreduction. Case Pregnancy complicated by the stuck twin phenomenon was managed by serial amnioreductions. Initial improvement was followed by progressive evidence of hydrops in the smaller, stuck twin. Absent diastolic flow was corrected immediately by further amnioreduction; subsequently the evidence of hydrops resolved. Conclusion Amnioreduction may be associated with a measurable improvement in fetoplacental hemodynamics in the stuck twin phenomenon as assessed by Doppler ultrasound.
Measurement of the kinetics of inhibition of activated coagulation factor X in human plasma: the effect of plasma and inhibitor concentration.

Abstract A method has been developed for detailed kinetic studies of the inhibition of factor Xa in human plasma. Radiolabeled enzyme is not required, and the method can be used at initial factor Xa levels of 1 n m . The method is discontinuous and based on the removal of samples into an amidolytic assay done in the presence of 1% Lubrol-PX detergent. This permits the study of inhibition in mixtures containing phospholipid, platelets, or thromboplastin. The method can be used at inhibition rates in excess of 1 min−1, and by suitable analysis can be used to estimate the contribution of inhibition by α2-macroglobulin, which does not itself inhibit amidolytic activity. The method is at present limited to cases where thrombin is not generated in large excess. Factor Xa inhibition has been studied in citrated plasma as a function of total plasma concentration, and—by the use of antithrombin-depleted plasma—as a function of the antithrombin concentration of the plasma. In all situations inhibition is characterized by second-order behavior: (i) total inhibition rate is proportional to plasma concentration up to 95%, giving a maximum rate in the absence of calcium of 1 min−1; (ii) inhibition in depleted plasma reconstituted with antithrombin shows inhibition rate to remain linearly related to antithrombin concentration; and (iii) the estimated rate due to α2-macroglobulin is proportional to plasma concentration. It is thus confirmed that, as in pure systems, inhibition of factor Xa in whole plasma is linearly related to the concentration of each class of inhibitor.
Guidelines, pathways, bundles, and protocols: clinical recipes for success.

The development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines have been shown to improve patient care and outcomes and have been well described for over 2 decades. Although there are a myriad of terms such as pathways, protocols, care maps, and bundles, the fundamental aim is the same: evidence
Who's watching influences caching effort in wild Steller's jays (Cyanocitta stelleri).

Steller’s jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) often store food and return to retrieve the stored items at a later time. Between caching and consumption, stored food has the potential to be pilfered by conspecific observers. We investigated whether individually marked Steller’s jays in suburban neighborhoods of Arcata, California, USA, adjusted cache concealment effort when in the presence of conspecifics. Both male and female jays traveled the shortest distances to cache when alone, traveled further when a mate was present, and traveled furthest when neighbors from adjacent territories were present. These results suggest that Steller’s jays recognize and respond to social contexts when concealing food items.
Medical and Surgical Management of Melting Corneal Ulcers Exhibiting Hyperproteinase Activity in the Horse

Corneal ulcerations are very common in horses; most of them are uncomplicated noninfected ulcers that heal quickly without complications, but some can present various levels of corneal liquefaction or “melting.” Because melting corneal ulcers can progress rapidly and be sight threatening, the crucial steps of their diagnosis and clinical management are stressed in this paper. The treatment of melting corneal ulcers in horses should eradicate the infection, reduce or stop the corneal destruction, support the corneal integrity, control the uveal reaction and the pain associated with it, and minimize corneal scarring. Medical therapy including antiproteolytic drugs is discussed as well as adjunctive surgical options, including keratectomy, conjunctival grafts, and amniotic membrane and other biomaterial grafts. The prognosis depends on the stage and the severity of the corneal ulceration, the etiology of the condition, and the therapeutic choice.
2.9 micron laser source for use in the two-photon/laser-induced fluorescence detection of atmospheric OH

A tandem Raman laser has been constructed using a 1.06 (mu) Nd:YAG laser as the fundamental pump source to generate a backward propagating stimulated Raman (D2 gas) source near 1.5 (mu) (185 mJ/pulse), which in turn is used to generate a second backward propagating stimulated Raman (CH4 gas) source near 2.9 (mu) . This 2.9 (mu) Raman Laser can now produce 18 mJ of near diffraction limited output energy. The anticipated sensitivity of a TP-LIF OH sensor using this mid-IR source would give signal limited (i.e. background free) limits of detection of 1.4 X 105 OH/cm3 under boundary layer conditions, and 5.5 X 104 OH/cm3 under free troposphere conditions for a five minute signal integration period. This level of performance coupled with the techniques nonperturbing nature (i.e. direct measurement) and freedom from both interferences and background would allow reliable tropospheric OH measurements to be obtained under virtually any ambient condition of current interest, including interstitial cloud sampling.
Best practices in identifying customer-driven improvement opportunities

Abstract This article makes a significant contribution to the literature by modifying traditional performance–importance analysis and by expanding customer-driven improvement models. The model significantly advances theory, addressing many important research issues and gaps. It is extremely useful to practitioners, providing a guide for identifying continuous and breakthrough improvement opportunities.
Mutually antagonistic effects on behavioral variability of ethanol and an aversive CS

Serial dependency of components of the rat’s water-reinforced operant responding was observed after acute intraperitoneal ethanol injections (1.0 g/kg) and after an aversive CS+ tone. It was found that either the aversive CS+ or ethanol injections decreased behavioral variability, but there was no additional decrease in uncertainty of responding in a combined treatment group. The results were interpreted as support for Devenport and Merriman’s theory of the behavioral effects of alcohol and discussed in terms of possible control mechanisms involved.
Laboratory Evaluation of Warm Mix Asphalt Influence on Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity

Warm mix asphalt (WMA) technology provides sufficient workability for asphalt mixtures at reduced mixing and compaction temperatures. Depending on the WMA technology, the typical temperature reduction range is 20 °C to 55 °C below hot mix asphalt (HMA) production temperatures. WMA involves chemical and wax additives that are added to an asphalt binder or incorporated through the use of foaming technology. The main advantages of WMA are reduced emissions and a reduction in combustible fuel consumption. Ongoing WMA research projects have documented some differences between HMA and WMA mixes, prompting numerous research projects that are investigating these concerns. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the volumetric properties by directly comparing laboratory produced WMA and HMA mixes. This study investigates the impact of WMA additives on the volumetric properties, specifically, the theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm). The Gmm testing followed the procedure of ASTM D2041. Two mix designs with HMA binder were produced, one without recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and the other with 30 % RAP. After the mix designs were completed, no additional changes were made to account for the addition of the WMA technology. The mixes included the WMA technologies Sasobit and Advera, as well as an HMA control, for a total of six different laboratory produced mixes. Each mix was produced at 120 °C, 135 °C, and 150 °C, and each mix was oven cured for 1, 2, and 4 h. The test results were analyzed using statistical principles to determine whether differences in the Gmm values were statistically significant. The results show that temperature has little impact on Gmm. Gmm was not affected by curing times of 1 and 2 h, but the longer curing time of 4 h resulted in a statistically significant increase in Gmm. Further analysis revealed that the mix sensitivity to curing time depends on the amount of RAP in the mix. For the mix designs studied, the Advera Gmm values were similar to the HMA values, but the Sasobit Gmm values were statistically lower than the Advera values.
Demo abstract: Collaborative indoor sensing with the SensorFly aerial sensor network

ABSTRACT The SensorFly is a novel, low-cost, miniature (29g) controlled-mobile aerial sensor networking platform. Mobility permits a network of SensorFly nodes, unlike fixed networks, to be autonomous in deployment, maintenance and adapting to the environment, as required for emergency response situations such as fire monitoring or survivor search. We demonstrate the ability of the SensorFly system to collaboratively sense the environment (floor temperature) in a demonstration scenario. The SensorFly nodes are tasked to explore the area and transmit sensed data back to a base station. The system partitions tasks among SensorFly nodes based on their capabilities (location, sensors, energy) to achieve concurrent and faster coverage. The real-time sensor data is presented to the user on a display terminal at the base station.
Integrating heterogeneous distributed database system

Abstract This paper demonstrates various aspects of resolving possible data conflicts occurring in the database integration process. A general model of a Heterogeneous Distributed Database System (HDDBS) based on a relational data model is presented. We also discuss the problems of heterogeneous database integration and the principal user requirements, together with design and implementation issues. The HDDBS suppresses differences of DBMS, language, and data models among the databases and provides users with a unified global schema and a single high-level query language. There are three principal research goals of the paper. The first goal is to develop appropriate language constructs for accessing and integrating heterogeneous databases. The Second goal is to discover effective global and local optimization techniques. The final goal is to design methods for handling incompatible data representations and inconsistent data.
Reoperative rates for Crohn's disease following strictureplasty. Long-term analysis.

Background: In Crohn's disease, ten-year reoperative recurrence rates after resection range from 30 to 53 percent. To determine the effect of strictureplasty on reoperative “recurrence” rates, experience at a single tertiary care institution was reviewed. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: Records of all patients who underwent strictureplasty for Crohn's disease from June 1984 to July 1994 at a tertiary care institution were reviewed. Data collected included duration of disease, medical and surgical history related to Crohn's disease, indications for strictureplasty, and longterm outcome. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two patients (87 male) underwent 191 operations for a total of 698 strictureplasties (Heineke-Mikulicz, 617; Finney's, 81). Mean number of strictureplasties was three, and mean patient age was 36 years. No mortality occurred. Cumulative five-year incidence of reoperative recurrence was 28 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 18.8–37.2 percent), with a median follow-up of 42 (range, 1–120) months. Obstructive symptoms were relieved in 98 percent of patients. To determine whether any difference in reoperative rates exists between patients who have strictureplasty alone and those who have strictureplasty with bowel resection, we divided patients in two groups, those receiving strictureplasty alone and those undergoing strictureplasty plus resection. For patients treated by strictureplasty alone (Group A, n=52; 32 percent), cumulative reoperative rate at five years was 31±9.6 (±standard error) and for patients with concomitant bowel resection (Group B, n=110; 68 percent), it was 27.2±5.4 (±standard error). No statistical difference was present between these two groups. Of patients undergoing strictureplasty alone (Group A), operative recurrence was managed by new strictureplasty in seven, by restrictureplasty in two, and by bowel resection in one. Among patients in Group B (strictureplasty and concomitant bowel resection), new strictureplasty was performed in 11, restrictureplasty in 6, and bowel resection in 9. CONCLUSION: Strictureplasty is a safe and effective procedure for Crohn's disease in selected patients. Reoperative rates are comparable with resective surgery, and most recurrences occur at new sites.
Responding to Security Issues in WiMAX Networks

WiMAX technology, the commercialization of the evolving IEEE 802.16 standard, aims to solve the last-mile problem with broadband wireless access at the scale of metropolitan area networks. WiMAX has attracted significant attention and interest because of its wide transmission range, high transmission rate, and mobility support. However, to make WiMAX networks usable and reliable, several security issues must be addressed in the standard and its protocols. In this article, the authors give an introduction to the security protocols used in WiMAX networks and then discuss why these protocols are deficient in terms of anti-replay, efficiency, scalability, and forward and backward secrecy, as well as how they can be enhanced to address these issues for real applications.
Particle and Phase Thicknesses from XPS Analysis of Supported Bimetallic Catalysts: Calcined Co-Rh/Nb2O5

Abstract The surface structure and elemental composition of a series of calcined Co-Rh/Nb 2 O 5 bimetallic catalysts have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). New formulae for the quantitative analysis of XPS intensities for supported bimetallic catalysts involving up to three separate, layered phases on spherical support particles are used for the first time. These apply an average takeoff angle for photoelectrons from spherical particles whose radii are large compared to the electron attenuation length. Calcined monometallic Co/Nb 2 O 5 and Rh/Nb 2 O 5 , and four calcined bimetallic Co-Rh/Nb 2 O 5 catalysts with similar Co loadings (≍ 1.9 wt%) and variable Rh loadings (0.3 to 2.3 wt%) were examined. Reference spectra for pure CoNb 2 O 6 (columbite) are also presented here for the first time. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and calcined at 673 K to generate the oxide precursors. The XPS lineshapes and the Co (2p) spinorbit splitting indicated the presence of two Co species, Co 3 O 4 and Co +2 , on all calcined Co-containing catalysts. The measured XPS Co/Nb and Rh/Nb atomic ratios for the catalysts were factors of 1.5-2 and 2-4.5, respectively, greater than the bulk atomic ratios, showing that both Co and Rh oxides were surface-enriched. The measured XPS peak intensities were compared to the values predicted from several different structural models of the oxide particles. These models assumed large spherical Nb 2 O 5 particles (diameter ≍ 60 nm to match the BET area) with the Co and Rh oxides covering fractions of this support′s surface in several particle arrangements. The best agreement, according to the minimum least squares criteria, was found for a model in which the Co +2 phase is adsorbed on the Nb 2 O 5 support surface, whereas the Co 3 O 4 forms thick (>2.5 nm) islands covered by Rh2O3 on approximate to 3.6% of the support surface. The thickness of the Rh 2 O 3 overlayer increased to 2.6 nm as the Rh/Co bulk atomic ratio increased to 0.72. The Co +2 phase was present at submonolayer concentrations. Between 78 and 90 mole% of the total Co was present as Co 3 O 4 in this model. The reduction temperature of the Co 3 O 4 strongly decreased as the Rh/Co bulk atomic ratio increased, while the reduction temperature of the Rh 2 O 3 was not strongly influenced by the presence of Co 3 O 4 . Thus, the TPR results are consistent with this bilayer island model, with Rh 2 O 3 on top of Co 3 O 4 , The Co +2 species was not obvious in TPR due to its low concentration.
Business Improvement Districts and Small Business Advocacy: The Case of San Diego's Citywide BID Program

Urban analysts have pointed to the importance of neighborhood commercial districts in enhancing amenities and providing low- to mid-skill-level employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for local residents. Business improvement districts (BIDs) offer an innovation to the problem of urban commercial decline. This work addresses one key policy question: How can cities use BIDs to assist their small business base? This work differs from previous examinations of BIDs in that it addresses localized policy and administration of a citywide BID program, not collective assessments of larger BIDs nationally or theoretical issues of accountability or governance of BIDs. The case of one citywide BID program in San Diego, California, is offered as an illustration of the prospects and issues related to the use of BIDs as a small business enhancement strategy.
A morphological study of wound response and telson regeneration in postlarval Limulus polyphemus (L.)

Summary The morphology of telson regeneration in postlarval Limulus polyphemus has been studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Three types of ‘haemocyte’ (granular haemocyte, plasmatocyte and spherical dark cell) have been identified in the circulation. The characteristics and variants of these types are discussed in relation to clotting and to regeneration of tissues pre- and post-moult. It is suggested that plasmatocytes serve as pluripotential cells for the differentiation of tissues of the telson, in particular, nerve and muscle. This study provides a framework against which effects of xenobiotics on telson regeneration can be assessed.
Principles in the design of ligand-targeted cancer therapeutics and imaging agents

Most cancer drugs are designed to interfere with one or more events in cell proliferation or survival. As healthy cells may also need to proliferate and avoid apoptosis, anticancer agents can be toxic to such cells. To minimize these toxicities, strategies have been developed wherein the therapeutic agent is targeted to tumour cells through conjugation to a tumour-cell-specific small-molecule ligand, thereby reducing delivery to normal cells and the associated collateral toxicity. This Review describes the major principles in the design of ligand-targeted drugs and provides an overview of ligand-drug conjugates and ligand-imaging-agent conjugates that are currently in development.
Adaptive Synchronization in IEEE802.15.4e Networks

Industrial low-power wireless mesh networks are shifting towards time-synchronized medium access control (MAC) protocols which are able to yield over 99.9% end-to-end reliability and radio duty cycles well below 1%. In these networks, motes use time slots to communicate, and neighbor motes maintain their clocks' alignment, typically within 1 ms. Temperature, supply voltage, and fabrication differences cause the motes' clocks to drift with respect to one another. Neighbor motes need to re-synchronize periodically through pairwise communication. This period is typically determined a priori, based on the worst case drift. In this paper, we propose a novel technique which measures and models the relative clock drift between neighbor motes, thereby reducing the effective drift rate. Instead of resynchronizing at a preset rate, neighbor motes resynchronize only when needed. This reduces the minimum achievable duty cycle of an idle network by a factor of 10, which in turn lowers the mote power consumption and extends the network lifetime. This Adaptive Synchronization is implemented as part of IEEE802.15.4e in the OpenWSN protocol stack and is validated through extensive experimentation.
At-large versus ward elections: Implications for public infrastructure

Since Gordon Tullock's (1959) seminal piece on logrolling, economists and political scientists have attempted to find empirical support for the argument that vote trading leads to larger municipal expenditure levels. In order for logrolling to occur there must be clear potential gains from trade, negotiations must be feasible and less costly than the value of the trade, and enforcement must be possible (Buchanan and Tullock, 1962; Mueller, 1979). The city council environment appears to satisfy these requirements. Apart from Zax (1985), however, who examined municipal employment and compensation, no empirical evidence of the effect of logrolling on municipal expenditures levels has been uncovered. Different institutional structures may provide different incentives to trade votes. In particular, ward election systems may provide a greater incentive to logroll than at-large systems (Bradford, 1911; Goetz, 1977). Ward councilors rely on neighborhood loyalties for their re-election. Thus, they are interested in providing public services whose benefits are geographically concentrated but whose costs are spread city-wide. At large councilors, whose constituency is city-wide, are more concerned with city-wide benefits. This difference in loyalties suggests that ward councilors are more apt to engage in vote trading behavior than are at-large councilors. One reason for the lack of empirical evidence of this behavior is that researchers have not examined the appropriate measure of municipal output. The local public good whose provision is most likely to be affected by logrol-
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the broad ligament: A case report and literature review

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising primarily in the broad ligament is described. This entity has not been previously reported. The patient's presentation and clinical course, including her partial response to Adriamycin and DTIC chemotherapy, are outlined. Clinical and pathologic features of tumors arising in the broad ligament are discussed.
Recent developments in the treatment and prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection

Respiratory syncytial virus infection is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children. Premature infants, as well as those with underlying lung disease (chronic lung disease of infancy), congenital heart disease, neuromuscular disease or metabolic disorders, are at greater risk of severe disease when infected with RSV. Infants hospitalised by RSV infection have an increased frequency of subsequent episodes of wheezing throughout childhood. The elderly and bone marrow transplant patients have also been shown to be at risk of severe RSV disease. Treatment of RSV infection is primarily supportive care. The antiviral drug ribavirin (Virazole™ , ICN Pharm.) is the only approved agent for treating infants with severe RSV disease; however, its use has been limited by the mode of administration (prolonged aerosol), cost and limited efficacy. The humanised mAb palivizumab (Synagis™, MedImmune) is indicated for the prevention of severe RSV disease in premature infants and tho...
Cancer risk and early detection assessment

Nurses and physicians form an ideal corps for implementing cancer prevention and early detection efforts: providing health education, promoting health enrichment, defining high-risk groups and identifying patients who belong to them, and providing screening to ensure early diagnosis and prompt treatment. A personal medical history, a history of exposures in life-style, and a family history form the foundation for cancer risk assessment. The physical examination that follows takes into account the incidence and indications of cancer at various sites and the patient's risk profile. Health professionals can incorporate screening techniques into everyday practice by gathering information in the medical history, incorporating cancer detection in the physical examination, following up with more frequent screenings or referrals for those needing them, and becoming cancer detection advocates among patients and professional peers.
Effects of Aging upon the Expression of Differentiation and Class II MHC Antigens on the Surface of T Lymphocytes from Normal Human Subjects

Abstract This study documents differences in the expression of differentiation antigens and Class II MHC encoded antigens on the T and B cells of young, adult, and older healthy humans as measured by their density on the cell surface. Marker densities were calculated by fluorescence intensity vector analysis, using two-color flow cytometry. Relative changes in marker densities with increasing age were calculated by expressing younger group marker density values as 100%. The following statistically significant changes were observed with advancing age: (1) Increased density of HLA-DR markers on CD3+ and CD8+ cells and CD4 markers in the "adult" group (ages >34 ⩽59 years) (1.5-fold, 0.5-fold, and 0.4-fold increases, respectively) when compared with the "young" group (ages ⩽34 years); (2) decreased density of HLA-DR markers on CD3+ and CD8+ cells and CD8 markers in the "older" group (ages ⩾60 years) (0.2-fold, 0.5-fold, and 0.4-fold decreases, respectively) when compared with the adult group. However, when the "older" group was compared to the young group, the density of HLA-DR markers on CD3 cells and the density of CD4 markers and CD8CD57 markers were significantly higher (1-fold, 0.4-fold, and 0.8-fold) and the CD8 markers were lower (0.4-fold). The size score of individual T cell subsets, as measured by forward light scatter, was uniformly smaller in the older age group when compared with the young group (29.5 ± 4.0% SD); it was also smaller than in the adult group (16.5 ± 2.7% SD). These observations may be of relevance to the decreased level of host immunulogic responsiveness observed with increasing age.
Evaluating Service Delivery of an Aftercare Model for School-Aged Youths Departing Residential Care

Much is known about the services youths receive when placed in residential care, yet services in aftercare remain poorly defined. We describe a method of tracking service delivery in a newly developed aftercare program, On the Way Home (OTWH), for youths reintegrating into home, school, and community settings following a stay in a residential care. Results reveal that OTWH addressed key areas related to successful transition outcomes and provided broad supports across settings. Moreover, the service delivery monitoring process provided important information to program developers and service providers regarding implementation issues such as provider caseloads and resource allocations.
Cation-, Dipole-, and Spin-Order in Pb(Fe 2/3 W 1/3 )O 3 -Based Multiferroic Oxides

Long range 1:1 cation order was developed in Pb(Fe2(1-x)/3Sc2x/3W1/3)O3 solid solution compounds by high temperature solid state reaction. It is found that the degree of cation order directly influences the saturation magnetization in these single phase compounds. A high saturation magnetization (-0.61 mu B per formula unit) was observed for x=0.15 at 10 K under 5 T. A ferrimagnetic structure was suggested to account for the observed magnetic behavior. These compounds also display a saturated electrical polarization ~15 muC/cm2 at 40 k V/cm at 120 K.
Resonance chemical imaging of polythiophene/fullerene photovoltaic thin films: mapping morphology-dependent aggregated and unaggregated C=C Species.

Resonance Raman spectroscopic imaging is introduced as a physical probe to identify and spatially map morphology-dependent variations of intra- and interchain interactions and order in poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) photovoltaic blend thin films. Absorption spectra and C═C symmetric stretching Raman modes of P3HT/PCBM blend films show contributions from two distinct species that are assigned as aggregated and unaggregated P3HT chains with characteristic Raman frequencies of ∼1450 (IC═Cagg) and ∼1470 cm−1 (IC═Cun), respectively. Upon thermal annealing of blend films, the relative concentrations of IC═Cagg and IC═Cun species (R = IC═Cagg/IC═Cun) changes on average from 0.79 ± 0.20 (as-cast) to 2.45 ± 0.77 (annealed). It is proposed that R values report on the relative densities of states (DOS) of aggregated and unaggregated species, and resonance Raman imaging is then used to spatially map morphology-dependent variations of R values and uncover subclassifi...
The Stained Glass Ceiling: Social Contact and Mitt Romney’s “Religion Problem”

Why did Mitt Romney face antagonism toward his Mormon religion in the 2008 election? Using experiments conducted in the real time of the campaign, we test voters’ reactions to information about Romney’s religious background. We find that voters were concerned specifically with Romney’s religious affiliation, not simply with the fact that he is religious. Furthermore, concern over Romney’s Mormonism dwarfed concerns about the religious backgrounds of Hillary Clinton and Mike Huckabee. We find evidence for a curvilinear hypothesis linking social contact with Mormons and reaction to information about Romney’s Mormonism. Voters who have no personal exposure to Mormons are most likely to be persuaded by both negative and positive information about the Mormon faith, while voters who have sustained personal contact with Mormons are the least likely to be persuaded either way. Voters with moderate contact, however, react strongly to negative information about the religion but are not persuaded by countervailing positive information.
Classroom Community: A Prerequisite for Communication

This report of participant-observer research in beginning French and German classes shows that recognition of common ground within the classmom is essential for communication. Without it, exercises, no matter how communicative in intent, will fail to produce communication. A sense of classroom community is a crucial prerequisite to truly communicative interaction.
Some problems associated with "validated" forms of psychotherapy.

This article is a response to the report of the Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association (1995). The conclusions and recommendations of the task force concerning the “validated” therapies for both training and practice appear premature. In particular, they overlook possible limitations in existing research, the importance of client and therapist variability, the role of common factors in psychotherapy, and the need to adapt therapeutic procedures for the problems of the individual client or patient.
Putting the User in the Loop for Image-Based Modeling

We refer to the task of recovering the 3D structure of an object or a scene using 2D images as image-based modeling. In this paper, we formulate the task of recovering the 3D structure as a discrete optimization problem solved via energy minimization. In this standard framework of a Markov random field (MRF) defined over the image we present algorithms that allow the user to intuitively interact with the algorithm. We introduce an algorithm where the user guides the process of image-based modeling to find and model the object of interest by manually interacting with the nodes of the graph. We develop end user applications using this algorithm that allow object of interest 3D modeling on a mobile device and 3D printing of the object of interest. We also propose an alternate active learning algorithm that guides the user input. An initial attempt is made at reconstructing the scene without supervision. Given the reconstruction, an active learning algorithm uses intuitive cues to quantify the uncertainty of the algorithm and suggest regions, querying the user to provide support for the uncertain regions via simple scribbles. These constraints are used to update the unary and the pairwise energies that, when solved, lead to better reconstructions. We show through machine experiments and a user study that the proposed approach intelligently queries the users for constraints, and users achieve better reconstructions of the scene faster, especially for scenes with textureless surfaces lacking strong textural or structural cues that algorithms typically require.
The effect of mineral bond strength and adsorbed water on fault gouge frictional strength

Recent studies suggest that the tendency of many fault gouge minerals to take on adsorbed or interlayer water may strongly influence their frictional strength. To test this hypothesis, triaxial sliding experiments were conducted on 1 5 different single-mineral gouges with various water-adsorbing affinities. Vacuum dried samples were sheared at 100 MPa, then saturated with water and sheared farther to compare dry and wet strengths. The coefficients of friction, µ, for the dry sheet- structure minerals (0.2-0.8), were related to mineral bond strength, and dropped 20-60% with the addition of water. For non-adsorbing minerals (µ =0.6-0.8), the strength remained unchanged after saturation. These results confirm that the ability of minerals to adsorb various amounts of water is related to their relative frictional strengths, and may explain the anomalously low strength of certain natural fault gouges.
Dissolved aluminium in the central North Pacific

Aluminium is the most abundant metallic element in the Earth's crust (8.23% by weight)1, yet little is known about its oceanic distribution. Published data sets concerning aluminium in sea-water2 are primarily for the North Atlantic Ocean3–7. We report here that dissolved aluminium concentrations in the central North Pacific are 8–40 times lower than those at corresponding depths in the central North Atlantic, but the vertical distribution features are similar. The vertical distribution and inter-ocean fractionation of aluminium can be explained by geographical variations in atmospheric aluminium sources, intense particle scavenging throughout the water column, and some regeneration in bottom waters. Aluminium's short oceanic residence time (estimated here as 100–200 years) leads to its marked inter-ocean fractionation, which is the reverse of that for nutrient elements such as silicon.
Al rich AlN/AlGaN Quantum Wells

Two sets of AlN/AlxGa1−xN quantum wells (QW) have been grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The first set consists of five samples of AlN/AlxGa1−xN QWs with (x ∼ 0.65) with well width, Lw, varying from 1 to 3 nm. The second set consists of four samples of AlN/AlxGa1−xN with (Lw = 1.5 nm) with Al composition, x, varying from 0.70 to 0.85. Low temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy has been employed to study the Lw dependence of the PL spectral peak position, emission efficiency, and line width. Our results have shown that these AlN/AlGaN QW structures exhibit polarization fields of ∼ 4 MV/cm. Due to effects of quantum confinement and polarization fields, AlN/AlGaN QWs with Lw between 2 and 2.5 nm exhibit the highest quantum efficiency. The dependence of the emission linewidth on Lw yielded a linear relationship. The implications of our results on deep ultraviolet (UV) optoelectronic device applications are also discussed.
How the women's health initiative (WHI) influenced physicians' practice and attitudes

Background The landmark Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy Trial published in 2002 showed that the health risks of combination hormone therapy (HT) with estrogen and progestin outweighed the benefits in healthy postmenopausal women. Dissemination of results had a major impact on prescriptions for, and physician beliefs about HT. No study has fully examined the influence of the widely publicized WHI on physicians’ practice and attitudes or their opinions of the scientific evidence regarding HT; in addition, little is known about how physicians assist women in their decisions regarding HT.
Social justice in India Perspectives from school leaders in diverse contexts

This study focuses on social justice from the perspective of five school leaders in Delhi, India. Four of the schools in the study are affluent. One school serves primarily students who live in ext...