cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the promoter region of the murine complement factor H gene

We have used the luciferase system to assay basal promoter activity of the murine factor H gene. Based on the results from luciferase assays with clones of 13 nested deletions, a 242-bp region that appeared to contain an enhancer element was subcloned upstream of a heterologous promoter and was shown to enhance transcription. A 26-bp fragment from this region was shifted in electrophoretic mobility assays, and this fragment contains a consensus sequence for the adenovirus major late transcription factor/upstream stimulatory factor (MLTF/USF). This fragment had enhancing activity in a minimal factor H promoter construct, demonstrating that it is a major enhancer of the factor H gene in murine liver cells.
Construction of Marine Surface Pressure Fields From Scatterometer Winds Alone

A series of six-hourly, synoptic, gridded, global surface wind fields with a resolution of 100 km has been generated using the data set of dealiased Seasat satellite scatterometer (SASS) winds produced as described by peteherych et al. (1984). This paper is an account of the construction of surface pressure fields from these SASS synoptic wind fields only, as carried out by differnt methods, and the comparison of these pressure fields with U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) analyses, with the pressure fields of the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) and with the special analyses of the Gulf of Alaska Experiment (GOASEX).
Projections of convex bodies and the fourier transform

The Fourier analytic approach to sections of convex bodies has recently been developed and has led to several results, including a complete analytic solution to the Busemann-Petty problem, characterizations of intersection bodies, extremal sections ofl p-balls. In this article, we extend this approach to projections of convex bodies and show that the projection counterparts of the results mentioned above can be proved using similar methods. In particular, we present a Fourier analytic proof of the recent result of Barthe and Naor on extremal projections ofl p-balls, and give a Fourier analytic solution to Shephard’s problem, originally solved by Petty and Schneider and asking whether symmetric convex bodies with smaller hyperplane projections necessarily have smaller volume. The proofs are based on a formula expressing the volume of hyperplane projections in terms of the Fourier transform of the curvature function.
Comment on ‘‘Jahn-Teller effect for the negatively charged C 60 molecule: Analogy with the silicon vacancy’’

We point out that the effective U due to vibrational couplings is a factor of 2 larger than calculated by Lannoo et al., due to off-diagonal interactions neglected in their work.
Data analysis: models and alogrithms

Data analysis has many facets, ranging from statistics to engineering. In this paper basic models and algorithms for data analysis are discussed. Novel uses of cluster analysis, precedence analysis, and data mining methods are emphasized. The software for the cluster analysis algorithm and the triangularization is presented.
Stellar proper motions with reference to galaxies

Abstract While fundamental proper motions are affected by errors in precession, the proper motions with reference to galaxies are free from this effect and should serve better for research in stellar astronomy. Three programs are in progress at present: Lick, Russia and Yale-Columbia. There is a serious disagreement between the first results from the Lick and Russian programs; the cause of these disagreements is not yet known. Further progress is expected to explain these discrepancies and to contribute to knowledge of the structure of our Galaxy.
Fluorescence signal transduction mechanism for immunoassay based on zinc ion release from ZnS nanocrystals

In this work, a fluorescence signal transduction mechanism based on cation release from ZnS nanocrystals was developed for sandwich immunoassay. In this mechanism, ZnS nanocrystals as labels in immunoassay are dissolved by acid to release zinc ions. After pH adjustment of the dissolving solution using a basic solution, zinc-ion sensitive fluorescence indicator Fluozin-3 is added to bind with the released zinc ions for sensitive fluorescence measurement. Using mouse IgG as a model analyte, the immunoassay adopting this signal transduction mechanism demonstrates a low detection limit around 1 pM and a detection range with two orders of magnitude (1 pM to 0.5 nM).
Retention of biosignatures and mass-independent fractionations in pyrite: Self-diffusion of sulfur

Abstract Self-diffusion of sulfur in pyrite (FeS2) was characterized over the temperature range ∼500–725 °C (∼1 bar pressure) by immersing natural specimens in a bath of molten elemental 34S and characterizing the resulting diffusive-exchange profiles by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). The temperature dependence of the sulfur diffusivity (DS) conforms to DS = Do exp(−Ea/RT), where the pre-exponential constant (Do) and the activation energy (Ea) are constrained as follows: log D o = - 13.76 ± 0.71 ( D o in m 2 s - 1 ) E a = 132.1 ± 12.5 ( kJ mol - 1 ) In comparison with cation diffusion in silicate and oxide minerals, S diffusion in pyrite is relatively fast, with closure temperatures ranging from ∼300 °C to ∼700 °C for the full range of plausible cooling rates and grain sizes. Sulfur isotope signatures acquired at near-ambient temperatures will be preserved during heating at 200 °C or lower for indefinite periods of geologic time. Higher temperatures may lead to some open-system behavior, depending critically upon temperature, effective grain size, and time. Four experiments on natural sphalerite (ZnS) reveal that S diffusion in this mineral is very similar to that in pyrite, suggesting possible uniformity of S diffusion behavior in sulfides as a group.
Erosion and its Effect on a Water-Cooled Turbine

Erosion tests were run to obtain data for designing a water-cooled gas turbine collection shroud. All tests utilized a coherent stream of water ejected from a static nozzle against stationary small block specimens. Twenty-one tests were run with aluminum specimens and 16 more tests with other materials. The impact velocity was varied from 165 to 270 m/s (540 to 890 fps). The impact angle was varied from 10 to 90 deg. The mass loss rate results generally show four erosion regions, which are consistent with the literature. A correlation between regions two and four was found. Aluminum specimen erosion rate was found to be unexpectedly high with impact angles of 10 deg and moderate-to-high impact velocity. No report of previous liquid erosion work at impact angles less than 30 deg was found; since it is expected that water-cooled gas turbines will operate at impact angles of about 15 deg, erosion in this low impact angle region should be studied. If the correlation between erosion regions two and four can be quantized, then very short-time tests could be used to predict long-term erosion at minimal cost.Copyright © 1978 by ASME
1121 IN VITRO AND IN VIVO STUDIES OF HUMAN IMMUNE SERUM GLOBULIN (ISG) MODIFIED FOR INTRAVENOUS USE AGAINST TYPE III GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS (GBS)

The mortality and morbidity of neonatal GBS disease remain significant, even with optimal antibiotic therapy. Recently, with the availability of several ISG preparations modified for iv administration, use of this material as therapeutic adjunct has been suggested. However, it is not known whether ISG modified by different methods will have similar biological activity. We compared functional activities in vitro and in vivo of two ISG modified for iv use against a type III GBS, reduced and alkylated (RA) and native (N) ISGs. Both preparations (5%) contained similar amounts of type III (4.0 vs 4.8 μg/ml) and group B (49.5 and 49.8 μg/ml) streptococcal antibodies of IgG class measured by the ELISA. IgM and IgA antibodies were undectable. In vivo, we used the newborn rat model of GBS bacteremia and meningitis. Five-day-old rats received ip 10-fold diluted RA or N ISG in a dose of 50 μl/10 gm and then sc LD100 of the GBS strain. Mortality was recorded for 5 days and blood cultures done in dead animals. The 50% protective dose (dilution) was 1:4 for RA ISG vs 1:16 for N ISG. In vitro studies measured phagocytosis and killing of the GBS strain by rat PMNs in the presence of ISG and rat complement. Efficient opsonophagocytosis (≥90% killing) occurred with ≤10−3 dilution of RA ISG vs ≤10−4 dilution of N ISG. The findings suggest that RA ISG is less active than N ISG against type III GBS. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for this apparent discrepancy in functional activity of RA and N ISGs.
Applications of High-Order Optimized Upwind Schemes for Computational Aeroacoustics

High-order optimized upwind dispersion-relation-preserving finite difference schemes are used for solving multidimensional acoustic wave propagation problems. The accuracy and the robustness of the schemes are tested for acoustic problems with various geometry and boundary conditions. Excellent agreements between the numerical and the analytical solutions indicate that the high-order optimized upwind schemes minimize not only the dispersion error but also the dissipation error while retaining the numerical stability. The simulation results have also demonstrated that the optimized upwind schemes damp out the spurious short waves automatically without the need of filter or explicit dissipation terms. The overall effectiveness of the high-order optimized upwind schemes is verified. The good numerical result of the problem of acoustic scattering by a sphere suggests that the optimized upwind schemes may be used to solve acoustic problems involving a relatively complex geometry.
Performance of the ActiGraph accelerometer using a national population-based sample of youth and adults

Accelerometer output may be semi-continuous or continuous in nature, which has implications on discerning non-wear and defining physical activity intensity levels. This study described field-based accelerometer performance from a surveillance sample of youth and adults. Using 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 4,028 youth ages 6 to 17 years and 7,931 adults age > =18 years wore an ActiGraph AM7164 accelerometer for one week, providing at least 3 days of wear for > =8 hours/day. Accelerometer performance was assessed by exploring the number of different values of accelerometer counts/minute for each participant. On average, youth participants had 1381 different counts/minute over 7 days (median 1360, interquartile range 1127–1623) and adult participants had 1101 different counts/minute over 7 days (median 1085, interquartile range 874–1313). For both youth and adults, when restricting to counts/minute between 0 to 4999, every possible value (in counts/minute) occurred at least once. The field-based data confirmed that the accelerometer used in this study allowed for continuous counts/minute through which all but the most vigorous activities would usually occur.
Location of the heme-Fe atoms within the profile structure of a monolayer of cytochrome c bound to the surface of an ultrathin lipid multilayer film.

We have recently developed x-ray diffraction methods to derive the profile structure of ultrathin lipid multilayer films having one to five bilayers (e.g., Skita, V., W. Richardson, M. Filipkowski, A.F. Garito, and J.K. Blasie. 1987. J. Physique. 47:1849–1855). Furthermore, we have employed these techniques to determine the location of a monolayer of cytochrome c bound to the carboxyl group surface of various ultrathin lipid multilayer substrates via nonresonance x-ray diffraction (Pachence, J.M., and J.K. Blasie. 1987. Biophys. J. 52:735–747). Here an intense tunable source of x-rays (beam line X9-A at the National Synchrotron Light Source at the Brookhaven National Laboratory) was utilized to measure the resonance x-ray diffraction effect from the heme-Fe atoms within the cytochrome c molecular monolayer located on the carboxyl surface of a five monolayer arachidic acid film. Lamellar x-ray diffraction was recorded for energies above, below, and at the Fe K-absorption edge (E = 7,112 eV). An analysis of the resonance x-ray diffraction effect is presented, whereby the location of the heme-Fe atoms within the electron density profile of the cytochrome c/arachidic acid ultrathin multilayer film is indicated to +/- 3 A accuracy.
Polyethylene and polypropylene nanocomposites based on polymerically-modified clay containing alkylstyrene units

Sodium montmorillonite was modified with a new polymeric surfactant. The high molecular weight of the surfactant appears to have led to incomplete cation exchange of the clays, but did promote nanocomposite formation with polyethylene and polypropylene. X-ray diffraction combined with transmission electron microscopy revealed a mixed nanocomposite morphology. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, while flammability of the nanocomposites was evaluated by cone calorimetry. A significant 40% reduction in peak heat release rate was observed at 10% organo-clay (3% inorganic clay) loading with an even higher 50% reduction at a loading level of 16% modified clay (5% inorganic clay). Despite possible plasticization effects by the polymers used as an organic modification for the clays, the mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and elongation were not severely impacted by the nanocomposite formation.
The new competitive environment

~ re are at the beginning of an important decade in telecommunications, a decade that began in 1988. The year 1968 marked the beginning of the decade of customer premises equipment (CPE). That was the year the Federal Communicat ions Commission (FCC) announced Carterfone. The conventional wisdom at the time, in much of the telephone business--most especially in the Bell Syst e m w a s that competition was economically impossible, or technologically undesirable, in CPE markets. CPE was widely viewed as part of the network, part of that natural monopoly that would never be shattered. Many thought that Carterfone was a regulatory frolic, going nowhere fast. Where are we today? Competition in CPE markets could not be more robust. The Carterfone policy has been an enormous success. Ten years after Carterfone came Execunet II. That was in 1978, the second landmark year. The FCC had been considering competitive long-distance services for some time. Then, in 1978, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals handed down its Execunet II decision. That ruling declared that the Bell System companies had to provide MCI and the other common carriers (OCCs) with the interconnection necessary for the OCCs to originate and terminate MTS (measured toll service) and WATS (wide area telephone service) calls. That was the beginning of equal access, and really the beginning of the end of the old Bell System. The breakup that followed four years later was all but inevitable. The central objective of divestiture was to make full equal access for long-distance carriers a reality. It is worth remembering how drastically the accepted wisdom has changed in the intervening decade. In 1978 a great many people were certain that the whole idea of long-distance competition was another piece of regulatory insanity. Some serious economists were confident that the long-distance network was an integral part of the existing telephone system and the natural monopoly. If MCI were going to make any headway at all, it would only be because it had favorable access tariffs and could cream-skim, as the pundits put it. As soon as tariffs equilibrated, MCI and the rest were certain to fold. Those predictions have been proved wrong as well, so far at least. We have growing and apparently viable competition in the long-distance markets. Nobody really talks much about natural monopoly in those areas any more.
Parallel pathways mediate inhibitory effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and nitric oxide in canine fundus.

The gastric adaptation reflex is activated by the release of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory transmitters, including nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). The role of NO in this reflex is not disputed, but some investigators suggest that NO synthesis is stimulated by VIP in post-junctional cells or in nerve terminals. We investigated whether the effects of these transmitters are mediated by independent pathways in the canine gastric fundus. VIP and NO produced concentration-dependent relaxation of the canine fundus. Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) reduced relaxation induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS; 0.5–8 Hz), but had no effect on responses to exogenous VIP and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10 μM). Oxyhaemoglobin reduced relaxations produced by EFS and SNP. Oxyhaemoglobin also reduced relaxation responses to low concentrations of VIP (<10 nM), but these effects were non-specific and mimicked by methaemoglobin which had no effect on nitrergic responses. A blocker of guanylyl cyclase, 1H-[1,2,4]oxidiazolo [4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one, (ODQ) inhibited responses to EFS, SNP and DETA/NONOate (an NO·donor), but had no effect on responses to VIP. cis-N-(2-phenylcyclopentil)-azacyclotridec-1en-2-amine monohydrochloride (MDL 12,330A), a blocker of adenylyl cyclase, reduced responses to EFS, VIP and forskolin, but did not affect responses to SNP. Levels of cyclic GMP were enhanced by the NO donor S-nitroso-n-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) but were unaffected by VIP (1 μM). The increase in cyclic GMP in response to SNAP was blocked by ODQ. The results suggest that at least two transmitters, possibly NO and VIP, mediate relaxation responses in the canine fundus. NO and VIP mediate responses via cyclic GMP- and cyclic AMP-dependent mechanisms, respectively. No evidence was found for a serial cascade in which VIP is coupled to NO-dependent responses. British Journal of Pharmacology (1999) 126, 1543–1552; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0702450
Central nervous system pseudallescheriasis after near-drowning.

Abstract Background Clinical characteristics of central nervous system (CNS) pseudallescheriasis after near-drowning have not been systematically analyzed. Methods Review of cases reported in the English-language literature. Results Sixteen patients were identified. The average period between the near-drowning episode and onset of clinical manifestations was 37 days. Common manifestations included fever, altered mental status, headache, seizures, and hemiparesis. All patients developed brain abscesses; however, imaging studies were normal at presentation in 6 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid neutrophilic pleocytosis, elevated protein, and decreased glucose were commonly observed. Most patients were treated with surgical resection and systemic amphotericin B or miconazole. Voriconazole was used in 2 patients. Twelve patients (75%) died. The average time between the near-drowning episode and death was 12 weeks. Four survivors received prompt treatment. Conclusions CNS pseudallescheriasis after near-drowning is highly lethal. Early diagnosis and aggressive medical and surgical interventions may improve survival.
Direct and indirect effects of a sex-biased antagonist on male and female fertility: consequences for reproductive trait evolution in a gender-dimorphic plant.

Abstract: Gender‐dimorphic plants are often subject to sex‐differential enemy attack, but whether and how this contributes to trait evolution is unknown. To address this gap, we documented the spatiotemporal prevalence of sex‐biased weevil damage in a gynodioecious strawberry. We then conducted path analysis to evaluate the direct and indirect pathways for weevils to affect female and male fertility and to mediate selection in two experimental gardens. Direct effects of weevils significantly reduced fertility and mediated selection on reproductive traits, even in the nonpreferred sex (females). Weevils significantly reduced floral display size in hermaphrodites in both gardens, and this translated into a substantial negative indirect effect on male fertility in the garden where the pathway to fertility via display was stronger. Thus, indirect effects of weevils can contribute to selection in hermaphrodites, which gain the majority of their fitness via male function. Our results also indicate that weevils ...
Influence of Range and Confinement Rearing of Turkeys on Growth, Feed Consumption and Body Conformation

ABSTRACT MARKET turkeys are commonly reared on range from 8 or 10 weeks of age until finished at 24 to 28 weeks of age. Green forages supply quantities of both known and unknown nutrients necessary for optimum growth of turkey poults (Scott, 1951; Scott and Jensen, 1952). These authors suggested that the poult growth promoting factor found in grass juice was at least partially destroyed by drying. Kohler and Graham (1951) in a study with chicks also reported that the growth factor in forage was destroyed by drying the whole plant. Scott et al. (1953), however, reported significant growth responses with chicks fed both sun-cured and dehydrated alfalfa. The role of this factor, in the nutrition of turkeys over 8 weeks of age, is not well known. Darrow and Morgan (1944) reported that range rearing resulted in a saving of 9.1% and 3.1% in the amount of feed consumed respectively by . . .
Physical activity and obesity in endometrial cancer survivors: associations with pain, fatigue, and physical functioning.

Objective This study aims to determine the prevalence of physical activity and obesity and their relationship to physical functioning (PF), fatigue, and pain in endometrial cancer survivors. Study Design Surveys were mailed to 200 survivors of endometrial cancer diagnosed within the last 5 years; 61% were returned. Surveys assessed physical activity, height and weight, comorbid health problems, PF, fatigue, and pain. Results In all, 22% exercised in the past month at the level of current public health recommendations, 41% reported no physical activity, and 38% reported some activity. A total of 16% were overweight and 50% were obese. Both lower body mass index (BMI) and higher physical activity were related to better PF. Higher physical activity was related to less fatigue, primarily for patients of normal BMI. Conclusion Results suggest endometrial cancer survivors' obesity and inactivity contributes to poorer quality of life. This population could benefit from quality-of-life interventions incorporating physical activity.
Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation: The Role of MR Imaging in Guiding and Monitoring Tumor Therapy

Performing RFA procedures under MR imaging involves two distinct processes: interactive guidance of the RF electrode into the targeted tumor and monitoring the effect of therapy. The justification for using MR imaging for electrode guidance is quite similar to its use to guide biopsy and aspiration procedures, where MR imaging offers advantages related to superior soft tissue contrast, multiplanar capabilities, and high vascular conspicuity that facilitate safe and accurate guidance in selected lesions. The major contribution of MR imaging to thermal ablation procedures is its ability to monitor tissue changes associated with the heating process instantaneously, an attribute that is not paralleled by any other currently available imaging modality. Such ability facilitates a controlled approach to ablation by helping to detect inadequately treated tumor foci for subsequent interactive repositioning of the RF electrode during therapy. As such, MR imaging guidance and monitoring enable treatment of the entire tumor on a single-visit basis while avoiding undue overtreatment and preserving often critically needed organ function. Although knowledge of interventional MR imaging concepts and familiarity with its technology and with the related safety issues are indispensable for interventional radiologists attempting thermal ablation procedures in the MR imaging environment, understanding the tissue basis of necrosis imaging is becoming an essential part of the knowledge base for the larger sector of general radiologists who are required to interpret the follow-up MR imaging scans of the increasing number of thermal ablation patients.
Psychometric Properties of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory-High School Version

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the latent composition of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory for High School (LASSI-HS) by applying both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. A sample of 367 ninth-grade students completed the LASSI-HS. These data were used for estimating reliability and for identifying a structural measurement model. The sample data were divided into two homogeneous groups to test for the covariance properties of the proposed measurement model using confirmatory factor analysis via the CALIS procedure. Based on previous research done on a similar instrument, a three-factor model was suggested in the initial set of exploratory analyses, and evidence supported the proposed model over other alternate models. The three latent variables were identified and labeled affective/effort-related activities, cognitive aspects/activities, and goal-oriented activities. Interrelationships among the constructs are examined, and the potential uses of the LASSI-HS are disc...
The States' role in health care cost containment.

Under the Social Security Act of 1935, the federal government expanded its involvement in maternal and child health care programs through grants-in-aid to state and local health departments. The Medicaid legislation of 1965 vastly enlarged federal expenditures, and state responsibilities. State performance was frequently criticized, especially in health care cost containment. Recently, the states have initiated several efforts to link cost containment and the quality of health care.
Transimination of Quinone Imines: A Mechanism for Embedding Exogenous Redox Activity into the Nucleosome

Aminophenols can redox cycle through the corresponding quinone imines to generate ROS. The electrophilic quinone imine intermediate can react with protein thiols as a mechanism of immobilization in vivo. Here, we describe the previously unkown transimination of a quinone imine by lysine as an alternative anchoring mechanism. The redox properties of the condensation product remain largely unchanged because the only structural change to the redox nucleus is the addition of an alkyl substituent to the imine nitrogen. Transimination enables targeting of histone proteins since histones are lysine-rich but nearly devoid of cysteines. Consequently, quinone imines can be embedded in the nucleosome and may be expected to produce ROS in maximal proximity to the genome.
Analyzing Digit Span Components for Assessment of Attention Processes

The Digit Span (DS) subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) is thought to be a measure of attention, concentration, sequencing, number facility, and auditory short-term memory. An optional WISC-III subtest and part of the Freedom from Distractibility (FD) factor, DS assesses several cognitive constructs, yet its utility in differential diagnosis has been questioned because poor DS or FD performance has been inconsistently associated with attention processes. In this study of 195 children referred for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, Digits Forward (DF) and Digits Backward (DB) component scores were found to be differentially predictive of attention, executive function, and behavior rating measures. Results suggest that DB is associated with attention and executive function processes, not the short-term rote auditory memory processes tapped by DF.
First Step toward Cloud-Based Firewalling

With the explosive growth of network-based services and attacks, the complexity and cost of firewall deployment and management have been increasing rapidly. Yet, each private network, no matter big or small, has to deploy and manage its own firewall, which is the critical first line of defense. To reduce the complexity and cost in deploying and managing firewalls, businesses have started to outsource the firewall service to their Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as ATaT, which provide cloud-based firewal service. Such fire walling model saves businesses in managing, deploying, and upgrading firewalls. The current firewall service outsourcing model requires businesses fully trust their ISPs and give ISPs their firewall policies. However, businesses typically need to keep their firewall policies confidential. In this paper, we propose the first privacy preserving firewall outsourcing approach where businesses outsource their firewall services to ISPs without revealing their firewall policies to the ISPs. The basic idea is that businesses first anonymize their firewall policies and send the anonymized policies to their ISP, then the ISP performs packet filtering based on the anonymized firewall policies. For anonymizing firewall policies, we use Firewall Decision Diagrams to cope with the multi-dimensionality of policies and Bloom Filters for the anonymization purpose. This paper deals with a hard problem. By no means that we claim our scheme is perfect, however, this effort represents the first step towards privacy preserving outsourcing of firewall services. We implemented our scheme and conducted extensive experiments. Our experimental results show that our scheme is efficient in terms of both memory usage and packet lookup time. The firewall throughput of our scheme running at ISPs is comparable to that of software firewalls running at businesses themselves.
Leopold Leadership Fellowships

The Leopold Leadership Program at Stanford University, in California, which provides communications training for scientists, is accepting applications for the 2015 Leopold Leadership Fellowships through 28 April. The program plans to select 20 mid-career scientists as fellows to attend sessions to learn theoretical frameworks and applicable skills as well as approaches for translating scientific knowledge to action. According to the program, the goal is to create a community of engaged scientific leaders who link their knowledge to decision making about the environment and sustainability.
Implications of temperature variation for malaria parasite development across Africa

Temperature is an important determinant of malaria transmission. Recent work has shown that mosquito and parasite biology are influenced not only by average temperature, but also by the extent of the daily temperature variation. Here we examine how parasite development within the mosquito (Extrinsic Incubation Period) is expected to vary over time and space depending on the diurnal temperature range and baseline mean temperature in Kenya and across Africa. Our results show that under cool conditions, the typical approach of using mean monthly temperatures alone to characterize the transmission environment will underestimate parasite development. In contrast, under warmer conditions, the use of mean temperatures will overestimate development. Qualitatively similar patterns hold using both outdoor and indoor temperatures. These findings have important implications for defining malaria risk. Furthermore, understanding the influence of daily temperature dynamics could provide new insights into ectotherm ecology both now and in response to future climate change.
Geographical Research about African Americans: A Survey of Journals, 1911–1995

This paper surveys research about African Americans in six geography journals between 1911 and 1995. 176 journal articles about African Americans were identified. A chronological analysis of a subset of these articles shows that it was not until the 1960s that African Americans were studied to any appreciable degree by geographers. Since that time, geographers have continued this research, but unevenly; annual output varies widely. Popular topics have included considerations of spatial distributions, social problems, political participation, the development of black residence areas, and historical and cultural studies of African Americans. Recent research in this area has problematized the concept of “race” and investigated the mutual constitution of racial identity and place.
Predator-elicited visual signal: why the turquoise-browed motmot wag-displays its racketed tail

Both sexes of the turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) perform a wag-display in the presence of predators, whereby their long racketed tail is repeatedly rocked side-to-side in a pendulous fashion. I tested 3 hypotheses for the function of the predator-elicited wag-display: 1) pursuit-deterrent signal, 2) warning alarm signal, and 3) self-preservation alarm signal. These hypotheses were evaluated by testing whether the presence of potential receivers (kin, conspecifics, mate) modified the way in which the wag-display was performed. Data on wag-display were collected when I experimentally presented predators to motmots and when naturally occurring predators were observed at nesting colonies. The wag-display was performed by male and female motmots who were 1) alone and not within signaling distance of conspecifics, 2) unpaired and therefore not signaling to a mate, and 3) paired but away from their mate. Motmots in these contexts performed the wag-display with similar probability and in a similar manner as individuals that were within signaling distance of conspecifics, paired birds, and paired birds who were near their mate. These results support the hypothesis that the predator-elicited wag-display is directed to the predator and functions as a pursuit-deterrent signal. Key words: alarm signaling, antipredator behavior, predator-elicited signaling, predator‐prey communication, pursuit-deterrent signaling, tail plumage. [Behav Ecol]
Phylogeny of Cerberus (Serpentes: Homalopsinae) and phylogeography of Cerberus rynchops: diversification of a coastal marine snake in Southeast Asia

Aim The biogeography of Southeast Asia has been greatly affected by plate tectonic events over the last 10 Myr and changing sea levels during the Quaternary. We investigated how these events may have influenced the evolution of Cerberus Cuvier, a marine coastal snake belonging to the Homalopsinae (Oriental-Australian Rear-fanged Water Snakes). This study is an expansion of a previous study on the biogeography and systematics of Cerberus. Location We obtained species from localities across the range of the widely distributed Cerberus: India, Sri Lanka, the Andaman islands, Myanmar, the Philippines, Borneo, Suluwesi, Sumatra, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Australia. Methods We analysed mtDNA sequences (12S, ND3, ATPase, 2338 nucleotide characters) from 21 localities. The sample consisted of 65 Cerberus rynchops (Schneider), three Cerberus australis (Gray) and four Cerberus microlepis Boulenger. One Homalopsis buccata (Linnaeus), one Bitia hydroides Gray, one Enhydris enhydris (Schneider), and two Enhydris plumbea (Boie) were used as outgroups. Results We produced phylogenetic trees based on parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis. We did not find unambiguous support for the monophly of Cerberus. Cerberus austalis, H. buccata and all other Cerberus populations formed a three-way basal polytomy under parsimony and C. australis formed the sister group to a clade consisting of H. buccata and all other Cerberus in likelihood and Bayesian analysis. The non-Australian Cerberus were monophyletic and consisted of four primary biogeographical clades: Indian and Mayanmar, Philippines, Greater Sunda Islands and Suluwesi, and the Thai-Malay peninsula and Gulf of Thailand. The range of genetic divergence between these clades and Australian Cerberus was 0.06–0.12. Genetic divergence among clades to the west of Australia was less pronounced (Thai-Malay peninsula and Gulf of Thailand = 0.02–0.05; Sunda Islands and Suluwesi = 0.02–0.05; Philippines = 0.02–0.06; India and Myanmar = 0.04–0.06, Philippines = 0.02–0.5). Main conclusions Gyi [University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History20 (1970), 47] recognized three species of Cerberus: C. australis (from Australia), C. microlepis (known only from Lake Buhi in the Philippines), and the widely distributed C. rynchops (India to Wallacea). We did not find strong support for the monophyly of the genus. Cerberus australis is highly divergent from all other Cerberus lineages sampled from this region. The geographically widespread C. rynchops is resolved into four biogeographical clades (Indian and Myanmar, Philippines, Greater Sunda Islands and Suluwesi, and the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Gulf of Thailand). We discuss how the dispersal biology of a salt-water tolerant, coastal marine taxon and the complex geological history of the region (Tertiary plate tectonic movements and Quaternary sea-level changes) could produce the observed patterns of diversification.
Examining accuracy of screening mammography using an event order model

Screening mammography is a widely used method for breast cancer detection. For each mammogram we propose a performance model based on order of outcomes. That is, we envision an initial assessment, a follow up assessment if the initial one is positive and, eventually, a determination of whether cancer was present or not. A model can be built at each stage reflecting effects due to patient characteristics, to the facility where mammogram was performed and to the radiologist reading the mammogram. Since assessment is not perfectly associated with outcome, familiar rates of agreement and disagreement are of interest. These rates can be investigated at various levels of risk factors of interest. The approach is illustrated with screening mammography data from the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, WA. A Bayesian framework is adopted for inference and an analysis of the data set is presented.
An approach to object-oriented component customization for real-time software development

To reuse components in component-based real-time software development, especially the ones acquired from external sources, a component must satisfy its real-time constraints, such as thread priority and thread synchronization, to satisfy system real-time requirements. Since real-time applications have various real-time requirements, the ability to customize components for various real-time constraints is needed. Hence, the components to be used in real-time software development must have a set of well-defined features to facilitate component customization. Furthermore, since there are many techniques available for addressing real-time requirements, the features themselves must also be customizable to support these techniques used in a particular type of real-time applications. In this paper, an object-oriented component customization approach, including component customization and framework extension, for real-time applications software development, is presented.
The distributed meetings system

Meetings are an integral part of everyday life for most work-groups. However, due to travel, time, or other constraints, people are often not able to attend all the meetings they need to. Teleconferencing and recording of meetings can address this problem. We describe a system that provides these features, as well as a user study evaluation of the system. The system uses a variety of capture devices (a novel 360/spl deg/ camera, a whiteboard camera, an overview camera, PC graphics capture, and a microphone array) to provide a rich experience for people who want to participate in a meeting from a distance. The system is also combined with speaker clustering, spatial indexing, and time compression to provide a rich experience for people who miss a meeting and want to watch it afterward.
Clock and power gating with timing closure

Assuming that delay is linearly dependent on local power supply voltage, the authors show how to set up an analysis to determine the effect of power supply variations on delay. This analysis can drive the introduction of clock gating, an increasingly popular technique for reducing dynamic power dissipation.
The controlled in vitro differentiation of callus derived from a fern, Pteris cretica L., into gametophytic or sporophytic tissues

Abstract An attempt was made to control the differentiation of callus, derived from isolated leaves of Pteris cretica L., into gametophytic or sporophytic tissues. In order to provide an adequate supply of callus for these experiments, a study was also made of the conditions promoting the initiation of callus, and its growth in subculture. Several clones of Pteris cretica were established in sterile culture. Callus formation was induced in excised leaves from young sporelings of these clones by culturing the leaves on modified White's medium supplemented with 2% sucrose and 1.0 mg 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) per liter. The same treatment induced callus formation in other sporophytic tissues (apogamous buds and stem sections), but no response was obtained from gametophytes. Callus derived from excised leaves could be subcultured and maintained as such, provided that the nutrient medium was supplemented with sucrose and high concentrations of auxin [0.1 mg 2,4-D per liter or 5 mg indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) per liter]. The callus grew equally well when the White's medium was replaced by Moore's medium, or the 0.1 mg 2,4-D per liter by 5 mg IAA per liter. The rate of growth was similar in the light and the dark; under both conditions the callus increased in weight three to four times in 3 weeks. Addition of kinetin (0.001, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/l) or yeast extract (100 mg/l) to the medium did not significantly increase the rate of growth or total yield of callus. When the auxin concentration in the medium was decreased, or when auxin was omitted altogether, differentiation occurred. In the presence of 0.1 g/l or higher concentrations of sucrose, glucose, or fructose, the callus usually gave rise to sporophytes, though the formation of gametophytes was occasionally observed. When the callus was deprived of an exogenous source of sugar, no sporophytes were formed, and the callus instead differentiated into gametophytes. Sugars, therefore, exerted a control over the type of differentiation. This control was not affected by the addition of 0.01 mg 2,4-D per liter to the medium. The part played by sugars in the determination of gametophytic and sporophytic development is discussed in the light of these and previous studies.
Marina-Scale Water Temperature Sensing in Real Time Using Microtomography

Small scale marine environments (bays, channels, estuaries, marinas, etc.) are dynamic environments where diverse flora and fauna come into close contact with man-made processes. Yet water temperature monitoring of these coastal environments is usually spatially sparse due to the cost of acquiring, deploying and maintaining buoys. In this paper we introduce micro tomography: using precise time-of-flight calculations for acoustic signals sent over short distances (50 m) to measure water temperature. The traditional use of the technology is to construct low resolution temperature and current maps of large bodies of water useful for global climate study, however here we apply the key concepts to a sensor network to enable real-time monitoring of water temperature while also improving the spatial resolution of the data. As we use time-of-flight measurements to accomplish our goal, high precision and tight time synchronization are required of the network in order to produce meaningful temperature maps. On the other hand, the reduced scale introduces a new opportunity to utilize the technology to sense even the slightest change in temperature. To show our system is realizable we present our prototype underwater acoustic sensor nodes and experimental results that indicates a temperature resolution of approximately one-tenth of a degree Celsius. We also present our micro-tomography simulation software. With the simulator we can study the feasibility of building a more complex marina-scale tomography system and the requirements that must be met by the underlying sensor network.
Curriculum-Based Measurement of Oral Reading: Standard Errors Associated with Progress Monitoring Outcomes from DIBELS, AIMSweb, and an Experimental Passage Set.

There are relatively few studies that evaluate the quality of progress monitoring estimates derived from curriculum-based measurement of reading. Those studies that are published provide initial ev...
Beyond the Deadline

Though the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) fell three states short of ratification, the women's movement seems to have learned from its mistakes and made some changes in its tactics, organization and focus. Specifically, feminist organizations—now stronger than ever—are stressing grass roots political activities and issues which are economic as well as social. Feminist groups seem to have been most successful in influencing public policy when they have focused on role equity issues rather than role change issues. As Joyce Gelb and I explained in a recent book on women and public policy, Role equity issues are those policies which extend rights now enjoyed by other groups (men, other minorities) to women and which appear to be relatively delineated or narrow in their implications, permitting policy makers to seek advantage with feminist groups and voters with little cost or controversy. In contrast, role change issues appear to produce change in the dependent female role of wife, mother and homemaker, holding out the potential of greater sexual freedom and independence in a variety of contexts. The latter issues are fraught with greater political pitfalls, including perceived threats to existing values, in turn creating visible and often powerful opposition. Of course, many issues deal both with role equity and role change. When feminist groups have failed, it has often been because their opponents have emphasized the role change aspects of an issue. Many of the issues which are primarily questions of role equity are economic. Thus, it was probably wise for the National Organization for Women (NOW) to emphasize in its ERA effort that the average female worker earns 59 cents for every dollar earned by her male counterpart.
Endogenous Skill-Biased Invention and its Diffusion to Adoptive Knowledge through Innovation

A growth model is presented that examines i) the creation of skill-biased knowledge through invention (defined here as additions to leading-edge knowledge) and ii) its diffusion to adoptive knowledge through innovation (defined here as later applications of knowledge to low cost production methods). The model incorporates my theory that invention, innovation, and adoption (as defined here) are sectors that range from the most to least skill-intensive. The model assumes additions to leading-edge knowledge are created with high-skilled researchers in the inventive sector and financed by students acquiring human capital. The remaining high-skilled workers, working with the most recent stock of total knowledge and low-skilled workers in the innovative sector, find low cost methods of production while creating a adoptive knowledge spillover that increases with the size of this sector and that can be used with a lag as an input into the adoptive sector, which requires only low-skilled workers. This paper's model can explain the inverse movements of relative wages and the detrended relative supply of U.S. skilled workers during recent decades. Endogenizing diffusion provides i) an additional channel through which inequality and growth can be affected, and ii) a better fit of the U.S. economic growth data during the inverse movements of the relative supply and relative wage.