cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wet Deposition Estimates from Long-Term Bulk and Event Wet-Only Samples of Incident Precipitation and Throughfall

This report describes a 2-yr study comparing two sampling systems that are used to measure major ionic constituents in incident precipitation and canopy throughfall: long-term bulk sampling vs. event-based, wet-only sampling. Major deviations in chemical concentrations (SO²⁻₄, NO⁻₃, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and H⁺) were documented between the two sampling systems, deviations that were ion-specific in both incident precipitation and throughfall. Differences in chemical concentrations between the two sampling systems were greater (i) during the growing than during the dormant seasons, and (ii) for incident precipitation (collected in the open) than for throughfall under chestnut oak forest (Quercus prinus L.) canopies. Nutrient-cycling processes in forests may be misinterpreted if flux data are based solely on long-term bulk samplers of incident precipitation and canopy throughfall. For example, comparison of bulk and wet-only throughfall solutions suggests that when bulk samplers collect throughfall under hardwood canopies, the ability of hardwood canopies to increase pH of low pH precipitation may be overestimated. Research sponsored by the Electric Power Res. Inst. (RP-1813-1; RP-1907-1) and by the Office of Health and Environ. Res., U.S. Dep. of Energy, under contract no. DE-AC05-84OR21400 with Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. Partial support for manuscript preparation received from the Integrated Forest Study on Effects of Atmospheric Deposition, coordinated by Oak Ridge Natl. Lab. and sponsored by the Electric Power Res. Inst., and from the School of Natl. Resour., The Univ. of Michigan, and the School of Forestry and Environ. Studies, Duke Univ. Publication no. 2974, Environ. Sci. Div., ORNL.
Beach boys or sexually exploited children? Competing narratives of sex tourism and their impact on young men in Sri Lanka’s informal tourist economy

Sex trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) are widely identified as global social problems, but each remain politically charged, especially given the disproportionate emphasis on sexual slavery. The current investigation is a case study of CSEC within the context of Sri Lanka’s international tourism industry. I draw from data collected during a multi-year field study to analyze and compare those understandings of sex tourism and CSEC driven by local “moral crusaders”—which dominated policy and public discussion—with the experiences of adolescent boys and young men who participated in these markets. Moral claims-making, focused as it was on cultural purity, morality, Western perversions, sexual slavery, and deviance, shifted attention away from the global political and economic contexts in which transactional sex took place. This resulted in both distortions and harms to marginalized youth in tourism communities, and a failure to address the economic realities of those involved in the informal tourism economy, including transactional sex with tourists. The current study thus adds additional support to the concerns raised by scholars and activists about the scope, nature, and impact of efforts to ameliorate commercial sexual exploitation, including the harms that result from narrow foci on individual deviance and sexual slavery.
Immunoglobulin messenger rnas of t lymphocytes.

The potential of T cells to synthesize immunoglobulins was investigated in thymus cells obtained from young mice. Such thymocytes contained very low levels of B cell contamination. It was found by hybridization of thymus RNA with complementary DNAs (cDNAs) synthesized from myeloma κ and H chain mRNAs that these T cells contain relatively large amounts of κ, μ, and at RNAs. RNAs for γ1 and γ2b seem to be absent. The Ig RNAs of thymus form stable hybrids with B cell derived cDNAs and are present at levels comparable (50%) to those found for the same RNAs in spleen. The thymic κ RNA is of the same size as B cell κ RNA. It is present in 99% of thymus cells as shown by in situ hybridization. The T cell κ RNA is a true messenger RNA, since (1) it is translatable into κ chains in a cell free system and (2) it is found to be enriched in the protein synthetic apparatus of membrane bound and free polyribosomes within T cells. Kappa and H chain mRNAs were also found to be translated by live T cells in short term culture. After activation by concanavalin A, thymus cells doubled the synthesis of immunoglobulins, while the initially very low numbers of contaminating B lymphocytes and plasma cells were further reduced 10- to 30-fold. The combined experimental evidence strongly indicates that T cells have the potential for the synthesis of immunoglobulins which may have receptor and effector functions. The question of whether T cell Igs are truly identical to B cell Igs is discussed in light of findings of our and other laboratories.
Large-Vessel Granulomatous Vasculitis in Crohn's Disease: A Clinical Pathology Conference Held by the Division of Rheumatology at Hospital for Special Surgery

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the reporting of this case and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.
The Anemia of Chronic Renal Failure Revisited

The mechanisms of the anemia of chronic renal failure are reviewed. Ineffective erythropoiesis is undoubtedly the major cause of this anemia. The contributions of inadequate erythropoietin secretion by the diseased kidneys, suppressive effects of uremic "toxins" on erythropoiesis and red cell survival, excess blood loss, and plasma concentrations of parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphate are discussed.
DESIGN OF WIRE-WRAPPED ROD BUNDLE MATCHED INDEX-OF-REFRACTION EXPERIMENTS

Experiments will be conducted in the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Matched Index-of-Refraction (MIR) Flow Facility [1] to characterize the three-dimensional velocity and turbulence fields in a wire-wrapped rod bundle typically employed in liquid-metal cooled fast reactors and to provide benchmark data for computer code validation. Sodium cooled fast reactors are under consideration for use in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) program. The experiment model will be constructed of quartz components and the working fluid will be mineral oil. Accurate temperature control (to within 0.05 oC) matches the index-of-refraction of mineral oil with that of quartz and renders the model transparent to the wavelength of laser light employed for optical measurements. The model will be a scaled 7-pin rod bundle enclosed in a hexagonal canister. Flow field measurements will be obtained with a LaVision 3-D particle image velocimeter (PIV) and complimented by near-wall velocity measurements obtained from a 2-D laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV). These measurements will be used as benchmark data for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation. The rod bundle model dimensions will be scaled up from the typical dimensions of a fast reactor fuel assembly to provide the maximum Reynolds number achievable in themore » MIR flow loop. A range of flows from laminar to fully-turbulent will be available with a maximum Reynolds number, based on bundle hydraulic diameter, of approximately 22,000. The fuel pins will be simulated by 85 mm diameter quartz tubes (closed on the inlet ends) and the wire-wrap will be simulated by 25 mm diameter quartz rods. The canister walls will be constructed from quartz plates. The model will be approximately 2.13 m in length. Bundle pressure losses will also be measured and the data recorded for code comparisons. The experiment design and preliminary CFD calculations, which will be used to provide qualitative hydrodynamic information, are presented in this paper.« less
Filtration Performance of Woven Geotextiles With Wastewater Treatment Sludge

Capping of contaminated soft sediments and sludges for in situ containment provides an efficient remediation alternative. Capping design typically involves the use of geosynthetics for multiple functions, e.g., reinforcement, separation, and filtration. Filtration performance becomes a decisive factor for proper long-term performance of a cap. Because of multiple functions required, woven geotextiles are often the choice geosynthetic in such applications. A research program concerning the filtration behavior of contaminated wastewater treatment sludges was conducted. The laboratory portion of the program included a series of filtration tests with different woven geotextiles. Filtration performance of the sludge-woven geotextile systems was also observed in field test cells. Geotextile samples were exhumed from the cells after exposure and analyzed in the laboratory. The results indicate that the sludges can be filtered using woven geotextiles and the selection of a proper filter can be made on the basis o...
Comparison of tipless and helical baskets in an in vitro ureteral model

Abstract Objectives To compare the rapidity of stone capture and removal by six tipless and four helical baskets in a ureteral model. Expeditious ureteral stone extraction is reliant on the basket size, configuration, and radial dilation force. Methods A 5-mm feline calculus was placed in a simulated model of the human ureter at a distance of 7.5 cm from the orifice, and saline irrigant instilled. A 6/7.5F Wolf semirigid ureteroscope was used for access and visualization of the stone. Operators were randomized to start stone extraction with 1 of 10 stone baskets, and three extraction attempts were conducted with each device. Six experienced operators tested each device. The tipless baskets tested were the ACMI Sur-Catch NT 3.0F, Bard Dimension 3.0F, Boston Scientific Zerotip 3.0F, Cook N-Circle 3.0F, Cook Delta 2.4F, and Sacred Heart Halo 1.9F. The helical baskets tested were the Cook N-Force 3.2F, Microvasive Gemini 3.0F, ACMI Sur-Catch Helical 3.0F, and Sacred Heart Hercules 3.0F. The time to extraction in seconds was recorded. Results No statistically significant difference was observed between the tipless (14 ± 7 seconds) or helical (12.8 ± 6.6 seconds, P = 0.21) basket groups. All baskets were able to retrieve the ureteral stones successfully. The most efficient basket was the Cook N-Circle with an average time of 8.7 seconds to stone extraction compared with the least efficient basket, the ACMI Sur-Catch NT, at 15.8 seconds. Conclusions The Cook N-Circle basket provided the most expeditious means to stone extraction in a ureteral model.
Manipulator control using the configuration space method

The throughput of a manipulation process depends upon the arm's speed of operation, but many existing controllers provide accurate trajectory control only at low or moderate velocities. We propose a control method that explicitly compensates for configuration‐dependent gravity, acceleration, and velocity forces ‐ the latter being especially important during rapid simultaneous motions of a number of joints. A tabular form of the equations of motion is used in real‐time in conjunction with a configuration space memory organized by positional variables. The contents of the memory are pre‐computed only once for each manipulator and are usable for all possible movements. A planned implementation of this method for the Stanford Schienman arm that uses about 250K memory locations and requires about n3 + 3n2 arithmetic operations per evaluation is discussed, where n is the number of degrees of freedom of the device.
Small Modular Molten Salt Reactor (SM-MSR)

The strategic goal of the Small Modular Molten Salt Reactor (SM-MSR) is to broaden the environmental and economic benefits of nuclear energy in the United States by producing power to meet growing energy demands and demonstrating its applicability to market sectors not being served by light water reactors. Of primary importance is demonstrating that the SM-MSR can be operated safely and compete economically with larger reactors. Reactor outlet temperatures (ROTs) of SM-MSRs will likely be much higher (around 700°C) than light water reactors, thereby increasing the efficiency of electricity production and potentially providing process heat for industrial applications, which will help offset the higher per kilowatt costs generally associated with smaller reactors, making the SM-MSR more economically competitive. This paper compares thermal power cycles for given ROT, compares thermal performance using figure of merits and sensitivity study and discusses the comparative advantages of SM-MSRs.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Semiclassical quantization of the dibaryon skyrmion

Abstract We perform a collective coordinate quantization of the classically stable baryon-number-two skyrmion in SU(3). We show that a relation between the number of colors and flavor triality of the dibaryons is generated by the Wess-Zumino term. The Skyrme model parameters are determined by using the baryon number one results. The dibaryon mass spectrum in the chiral limit is then obtained (in GeV): M = 1.5 + 0.049 C 1 + 0.009 J ( J + 1), where C 1 is the quadratic Casiimir of flavor SU(3) and J is the spin. We compare our results with quark model expectations.
Adaptive modeling of time variable systems

Mathematical modeling of unknown time variable systems is considered. The adaptive solution obtained does not identify the unknown plant; rather a low order linear model is determined whose behavior is “near” that of the plant. The model characteristics are assumed sufficiently similar to those of the plant so that controller synthesis based on information gained from the model will be adequate for plant control. The model must be rapidly determined since the plant is time variable; the adaptive rate is considered and a gain matrix which will provide rapid adaptation is developed. Simulation results are shown for several selections of the gain matrix.
Exploiting rank ordered choice set data within the stochastic utility model.

The authors report on a procedure for exploiting the information content of rank ordered choice sets to estimate efficiently the parameters of the multinomial logit model formulation of the stochas...
Novel method for analysis of printed circuit images

To keep pace with the trend towards increased circuit integration, printed circuit patterns are becoming denser and more complex. A variety of automated visual inspection methods to detect circuit defects during manufacturing have been proposed. This paper describes a method which is a synthesis of the reference-comparison and the generic-property approaches that exploits their respective strengths and overcomes their respective weaknesses. It is based on the observation that the local geometric and global topological correctness of a printed circuit can be inferred from the correctness of simplified, skeletal versions of the circuit in a test image. These operations can be realized using simple processing elements which are well suited for implementation in hardware.
A highly sensitive chromogenic microtiter plate assay for plasminogen activators which quantitatively discriminates between the urokinase and tissue-type activators

A simple and highly sensitive chromogenic microtiter plate assay for plasminogen activators is described. The assay is based on plasmin cleavage of the synthetic tripeptide plasmin substrate H-D-norleucyl-hexahydrotyrosyl-lysine p-nitroaniline, which yields the yellow chromophore p-nitroanilide. Production of the latter compound is then quantitated spectrophotometrically at 405 nm on an ELISA plate reader. Linearity of the assay can be achieved over at least four orders of magnitude in a single experiment (0.01-100 milliPloug units) with appropriate incubation times. Capitalizing on tissue-type plasminogen activator's dependence on fibrin for enzymatic activity, the selective use of soluble fibrin products allows discrimination between urokinase and tissue-type activator. The utility of this aspect of the assay for the analysis of complex samples containing both types of plasminogen activators is demonstrated.
Dexamethasone-resistant cystic fibrosis fibroblasts show cross-resistance to sex steroids

Abstract Diploid skin fibroblasts derived from individuals with the autosomal recessive disease, cystic fibrosis (CF), were shown previously to be significantly more resistant to the cytotoxicity of dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid hormone, than were normal human fibroblasts. Here cystic fibrosis fibroblasts are also shown to be more resistant than normal human fibroblasts to the cytotoxic effects of the sex hormones, 17 β-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone and progesterone. Since cells are believed to contain different receptors for each of the steroid hormones, it is not probable that the resistance of CF cells to these hormones results from a receptor deficiency. This was shown by the fact that CF cells were found to exhibit the same receptor activity as normal cells for 3 H-dexamethasone. Furthermore, neither normal human nor CF fibroblasts could be demonstrated to contain detectable receptor activity for 3 H-17 β-estradiol. In addition, the studies of fibroblast killing by hormones led to the further interesting observation that normal human diploid fibroblasts, regardless of the sex of the tissue donor, are sensitive to killing by each of the sex hormones. These findings suggest that the cytotoxic effects of the steroid hormones may be observed independently of the specific hormone receptors. The studies reported here thus suggest that the resistance of CF cells to the different steroid hormones is probably the result of a defect in a pathway in cellular steroid hormone metabolism other than that involving receptors.
Many-body calculation of surface states: As on Ge(111).

A first-principles theory of the quasiparticle surface-state energies is given. The electron self-energy operaor is evaluated with inclusion of both local fields and dynamical screening effects in a surface calculation using a repeated slab geometry. The results for the prototypical Ge(111):As surface are in excellent agreement with recent angle-resolved photoemission data and show a substantially larger gap between the empty and occupied surface states in comparison to local-density--functional calculations. Implications for local-density--functional calculations of surface-state energies in semiconductors are discussed.
Effect of extended conjugation with a phenylethynyl group on the fluorescence properties of water-soluble arylboronic acids

Boronic acids that change fluorescent properties upon sugar binding are very important reporter units for the development of small molecule lectin mimics (boronolectins). Aimed at developing long wavelength fluorescent boronic acid reporter compounds, we have designed and synthesized a series of boronic acid analogs 2a-d with an extended π conjugation. Such designs are based on earlier fluorescent boronic acids that change fluorescent properties upon sugar binding. Compared with the corresponding parent chromophores, these new compounds with extended conjugations show longer excitation and emission wavelengths as designed. The patterns of fluorescent changes for the new compounds are also different from that of the corresponding parent compounds.
High but variable outcrossing rates in the invasive Geranium carolinianum (Geraniaceae)

• Premise of the study: Mating system plays an important role in population establishment and persistence, maintenance of genetic variation, and adaptive ability, especially for invasive species that colonize new environments to which they may be poorly adapted. In mixed-mating species, population differences in self-fertilization rates often arise due to variation in local ecological conditions (e.g., pollinator or mate availability) or genetic variation in traits promoting selfing or outcrossing. Knowledge of how and why selfing rates vary can help us understand how populations respond to different environments, how this affects patterns of genetic variation, and the role of mating systems in biological invasions.• Methods: We determined outcrossing rates in invasive (China) and native (US) populations of the weedy annual Geranium carolinianum in natural populations and an open-pollinated common garden to answer the following questions: To what extent do populations vary in mating system? Do invasive populations differ from native populations? Is interpopulation variation in mating system under genetic control?• Key results: Despite having many characteristics of selfing species, we found high variation in outcrossing rates (tm from 0.1 to 1.0) resulting from both environmental and genetic variation. Outcrossing rates were generally high and plastic in the Chinese populations.• Conclusions: A delayed selfing mechanism provides reproductive assurance while allowing facultative outcrossing when mates are not limiting. In invasive populations, high outcrossing rates were facilitated by large admixed founding populations, promoting local adaptation and the maintenance of genetic diversity.
Configurational Entropy and Cooperativity between Ligand Binding and Dimerization in Glycopeptide Antibiotics

Oligomerization and ligand binding are thermodynamically cooperative processes in many biochemical systems, and the mechanisms giving rise to cooperative behavior are generally attributed to changes in structure. In glycopeptide antibiotics, however, these cooperative processes are not accompanied by significant structural changes. To investigate the mechanism by which cooperativity arises in these compounds, fully solvated molecular dynamics simulations and quasiharmonic normal-mode analysis were performed on chloroeremomycin, vancomycin, and dechlorovancomycin. Configurational entropies were derived from the vibrational modes recovered from ligand-free and ligand-bound forms of the monomeric and dimeric species. Results indicate that both ligand binding and dimerization incur an entropic cost as vibrational activity in the central core of the antibiotic is shifted to higher frequencies with lower amplitudes. Nevertheless, ligand binding and dimerization are cooperative because the entropic cost of both processes occurring together is less than the cost of these processes occurring separately. These reductions in configurational entropy are more than sufficient in magnitude to account for the experimentally observed cooperativity between dimerization and ligand binding. We conclude that biochemical cooperativity can be mediated through changes in vibrational activity, irrespective of the presence or absence of concomitant structural change. This may represent a general mechanism of allostery underlying cooperative phenomena in diverse macromolecular systems.
Smoking patterns in cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION More than 11 million cancer survivors are at risk for new cancers, yet many are receiving inadequate guidance to reduce their risk. This study describes smoking trends among a group of cancer survivors (CaSurvivors) compared with a no cancer (NoCancer) control group. METHODS The Health Information National Trends Survey 2003, 2005, and 2007 cross-sectional surveys were used in this secondary data analysis. Descriptive statistics were produced, and logistic regressions of current smokers were performed on weighted samples using SUDAAN. The sample included 2,060 CaSurvivors; the average age was 63 years; and the majority of respondents were female (67%), White (80.6%), married, or partnered (52.5%), with at least some college education (57%). The mean time since diagnosis was 12 years; 28.7% reported fair or poor health status. RESULTS The overall smoking rate was 18.7% for CaSurvivors and 21.7% for the NoCancer group. Education (less than college), age (younger), marital status (widowed or divorced), and health care access (none or partial) were significant personal variables associated with a greater likelihood of being a current smoker. Controlling for these variables, there were no differences between the CaSurvivors and NoCancer groups over time. Women with cervical cancer were still more likely to be smokers (48.9%) than other CaSurvivors (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS CaSurvivors' current smoking trends were similar to the control group. While most variation was explained by demographic variables, women with cervical cancer, a smoking-related cancer, had the highest prevalence of smoking. Smoking cessation interventions should be targeted to this high-risk group.
Observation of ultraviolet spectra of saturated bicyclic amines

Abstract The ultraviolet spectra of triethylenediamine (I), 2-methyl triethylenediamine (II), and quinuclidine (III) have been observed. In each case, the vapor of the compound shows a rich pattern of vibrational structure of the electronic transition. This phenomenon is explained in terms of the rigidity of the molecules.
Very high-average-power quantum cascade lasers by GasMBE

Very high average power QCLs are demonstrated within the 5.8 - 9 μm wavelength range. At longer wavelengths, scaling of the power is demonstrated by increasing the number of emitting regions in the waveguide core. At λ = 9 μm, over 3.5 W of peak power per facet has been demonstrated at room temperature for a single 25 μm by 3 mm diode, with an average power of 150 mW at 6% duty cycle. At shorter wavelengths, highly strain-balanced heterostructures are used to create a high coduction band offset and minimize leakage current. At λ = 6 μm, utilizing a high reflective coating and epilayer-down mounting of the laser, we demonstrate 225 mW of average power from a single facet at room temperature. Increasing the conduction band offset further and optimizing the doping in the injector region has led to demonstration of > 250 mW average power (λ = 5.8 μm) at > 50% duty cycle for a 20 μm by 2 mm HR coated diode bonded epilayer-down to a copper heatsink. Also at room temperature, use of Au electroplating and wider ridges has allowed us to further demonstrate without epilayer-down bonding, 0.67 W average power at 17% duty cycle from a single 40 μm by 2 mm HR coated laser.
Radio Brightness Measurement of Incoherent Sources: Second-Order Brightness Spatial Statistics

Radio brightness measurements of an incoherent source, in front of a constant-temperature background, depart from the true source brightness because of finite antenna beamwidth, internal receiver noise, and background noise. Noisy measured brightness samples may be used to estimate the measured and the true brightness, at and between the measured points. Such estimates are called "interpolation" and "restoration," respectively. Optimum linear estimation - interpolation or restoration - requires only the second-order brightness statistics of the true and measured brightness samples, and of the corresponding noise samples. We derive these correlation functions in terms of the antenna parameters, subject to the assumptions that the source brightness varies rapidly compared to the antenna beamwidth, and that the background temperature is constant. We apply these results to calculating the interpolation and restoration errors for optimum linear processing of a finite number of noisy measured brightness samples...
Overexpression of Angiopoietin-1 Increases CD133+/c-kit+ Cells and Reduces Myocardial Apoptosis in db/db Mouse Infarcted Hearts

Hematopoietic progenitor CD133+/c-kit+ cells have been shown to be involved in myocardial healing following myocardial infarction (MI). Previously we demonstrated that angiopoietin-1(Ang-1) is beneficial in the repair of diabetic infarcted hearts. We now investigate whether Ang-1 affects CD133+/c-kit+ cell recruitment to the infarcted myocardium thereby mediating cardiac repair in type II (db/db) diabetic mice. db/db mice were administered either adenovirus Ang-1 (Ad-Ang-1) or Ad-β-gal systemically immediately after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Overexpression of Ang-1 resulted in a significant increase in CXCR-4/SDF-1α expression and promoted CD133+/c-kit+, CD133+/CXCR-4+ and CD133+/SDF-1α+ cell recruitment into ischemic hearts. Overexpression of Ang-1 led to significant increases in number of CD31+ and smooth muscle-like cells and VEGF expression in bone marrow (BM). This was accompanied by significant decreases in cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis and an increase in myocardial capillary density. Ang-1 also upregulated Jagged-1, Notch3 and apelin expression followed by increases in arteriole formation in the infarcted myocardium. Furthermore, overexpression of Ang-1 resulted in a significant improvement of cardiac functional recovery after 14 days of ischemia. Our data strongly suggest that Ang-1 attenuates cardiac apoptosis and promotes cardiac repair by a mechanism involving in promoting CD133+/c-kit+ cells and angiogenesis in diabetic db/db mouse infarcted hearts.
Provision of Family Planning to Women With Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in reproductive-aged women can lead to pregnancy complications and fetal anomalies. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2009–2010. The study sample included visits by reproductive-aged women with CVRFs diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, or tobacco use. The comparison group was visits by reproductive-aged women with no chronic disease. Family planning action was defined as counseling, medication, or procedure. Results: Among an estimated 223,407,070 ambulatory visits, 30.8% were associated with at least 1 CVRF, and 17.2% had at least 1 family planning action. There was no increased frequency of family planning for visits by women with CVRFs compared with those with no chronic disease (17.4% vs 17.1%, respectively). In the multivariable model, the odds ratio (OR) of a woman with a CVRF receiving family planning was 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9–1.5). Visits for preventive care (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.8–3.1), as well as gynecologic and sexual health care (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9–3.7), were significantly associated with increased odds of family planning. Conclusion: There are low rates of family planning during visits by reproductive-aged women overall, with no significant difference for visits by women with CVRFs. Comprehensive preventive visits in primary care may especially benefit women of reproductive age with CVRFs, reducing the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.
Scanning Laser Image Correlation (SLIC) Measurements in Zebra Fish Larvae

3003‐Pos Scanning Laser Image Correlation (SLIC) Measurements in Zebra Fish Larvae Molly J. Rossow, William W. Mantulin, Enrico Gratton. University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA. Scanning Laser Image Correlation (SLIC) is a technique to measure the flow of small particles and to observe local flow patterns over an area. SLIC can be applied to situations including blood cells flowing through blood vessels or tracer particles flowing through microfluidic channels. The main advantage of SLIC over other flow measurement techniques is that SLIC can be scaled to measure flow in areas ranging from microns to centimeters wide. To accomplish this, an image is first acquired through laser scanning and analyzed with number and brightness analysis (N&B) to identify regions of flow. This is used as a guide to manually (or potentially automatically) select a pattern within the image, such as a line along the center of a channel, that is then scanned repeatedly with the laser beam. Since the entire image is not scanned in each measurement SLIC measurements can be obtained quickly and efficiently. The results of these scanned patterns are analyzed with the recently developed pair correlation technique to extract the rate of flow and to identify characteristic flow patterns such as turbulence, particles that adhere to the channel walls, and variable velocity along the length of the channel. In the work presented here we demonstrate the effectiveness of SLIC by measuring blood flow in a zebra fish model. With SLIC, we are able to obtain blood flow measurements equivalent to those obtained with other techniques. We are also able to map the rate of flow and to observe variability in flow rate over time. This indicates that SLIC has potential to measure blood flow in other animals as well and may hold potential as the basis of a medical device. This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (PHS 5 P41‐RR003155.)
Pathogenesis of BK virus infection after renal transplantation

BK virus (BKV) was first detected in a renal transplant recipient in 1971 [1]. Increasing incidence of this infection in renal transplant recipients as BKV nephritis (BKVN) poses a threat to graft ...
Metabolic acclimation in three species of sympatric, semi-aquatic snakes

Abstract 1. 1. Metabolic rates of brown water snakes (Nerodia taxispilota), northern water snakes (N. sipedon), and eastern cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), acclimated to 22 and 32°C, were measured over ambient temperatures of 4–36°C and at 32°C during acclimation from 22 to 32°C. 2. 2. There was statistically significant variation in metabolic rate between acclimation temperatures and among species even though metabolic rate was adjusted for the effects of body mass and ambient temperature and all snakes were collected in the same area. 3. 3. Northern water snakes acclimate more rapidly and to a greater degree than do brown water snakes and eastern cottonmouths. 4. 4. Rate of acclimation in these three species of snakes is a significant function of body mass with small snakes acclimating more rapidly than large ones. 5. 5. Interspecific differences in rate and degree of acclimation suggest that acclimational capability is related to these species' geographic distributions and seasonal variations in behavior.
Protein Kinase G and Focal Adhesion Kinase Converge on Src/Akt/β-Catenin Signaling Module in Osteoblast Mechanotransduction

Mechanical loading of bone induces interstitial fluid flow, leading to fluid shear stress (FSS) of osteoblasts. FSS rapidly increases the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]) and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in osteoblasts and activates the protein kinase Akt. Activated Akt stimulates osteoblast proliferation and survival, but the mechanism(s) leading to Akt activation is not well defined. Using pharmacological and genetic approaches in primary human and mouse osteoblasts and mouse MC3T3 osteoblast-like cells, we found that Akt activation by FSS occurred through two parallel pathways; one required calcium stimulation of NO synthase and NO/cGMP/protein kinase G II-dependent activation of Src, and the other required calcium activation of FAK and Src, independent of NO. Both pathways cooperated to increase PI3K-dependent Akt phosphorylation and were necessary for FSS to induce nuclear translocation of β-catenin, c-fos, and cox-2 gene expression and osteoblast proliferation. These data explain how mechanical stimulation of osteoblasts leads to increased signaling through a growth regulatory pathway essential for maintaining skeletal integrity.
Teaching medical students how to use interpreters: a three year experience.

Disparities in health exist among ethnic/racial groups, especially among members with limited English proficiency (LEP). The session described in this paper aimed to teach medical students the skills needed to communicate with patients with LEP. Description _ We created a required session titled ‘‘Cross-Cultural Communication-Using an Interpreter’’ for third-year medical students with learning objectives and teaching strategies. The session plans evolved over three years. Program Evaluation _ Students’ perceived efficacy using retrospective pre/post test analysis (n_110, 86% response rate) administered 7 weeks post-session revealed that 77.3% of students felt ‘‘more prepared to communicate with a patient with LEP’’, 77.3% to ‘‘give proper instructions to an untrained interpreter’’ and 76.4% to ‘‘access a hospital language line’’. Conclusion _ Our curricular intervention was effective in increasing students’ perceived efficacy in communicating with a patient with LEP, using untrained interpreters and accessing a hospital language line. Skills practice and discussion of using interpreters should be a part of medical education. Keywords: Interpreters, limited English proficiency, cultural competency, medical education
Using Mozilla badges to certify XSEDE users and promote training

XSEDE provides a large number of training opportunities for potential and existing users of its resources. Topics covered include basic High Performance Computing (HPC) skills and new technologies in both traditional and non-traditional HPC disciplines. A goal of this training is to enable learners to refine their skills and gain the competencies they need to be effective HPC researchers and practitioners. To gauge impact from this training, it is necessary to determine whether learners gained skills from it. In addition, learners want recognition and a tangible way to show others, such as potential employers, that they have mastered a specific set of skills. To make this possible, XSEDE has begun a program to award Mozilla Open Badges to learners who demonstrate competency in topics relevant to the use of XSEDE resources. This paper describes the pilot effort for this program, which offered beginner, intermediate, and advanced badges for competency achieved from participation in an introductory OpenACC workshop.
Electrode configuration and energy resolution in gamma-ray detectors

Abstract Materials used for room-temperature gamma-ray detectors exhibit substantial charge-collection deficiencies. As a result, the geometrical arrangement of charge-sensing electrodes on a detector can have a very large influence on its spectral performance. A discussion of the effects of electrode geometry on charge signal generation and energy resolution is presented. Various electrode configurations including spherical, coaxial, pixel, strip and coplanar-grid are examined in theoretical terms to evaluate their effectiveness and limitations in enhancing the performance of detectors with charge trapping.
Conformational Analysis of Singlet-Triplet State Mixing in Paterno ` -Buchi Diradicals

Conformational dependence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in flexible Paterno-Buchi (PB) diradicals has been studied with high-level ab initio methods using both (i) one-electron spin-orbit Hamiltonian with parametrized (effective) nuclear charges in conjunction with a state-averaged MCSCF wave function as implemented by Robb in Gaussian 98 and (ii) complete one- and two-electron SOC with a fully optimized MCSCF triplet wave function and frozen core singlet as implemented by Furlani in the GAMESS computational package. The ab initio results revealed two distinct areas of elevated SOC values, one corresponding to the region whereby a cisoid conformation in the C-C-O-C fragment brings the two odd-electron orbitals closer to each other, and the other area corresponding to the partially eclipsed conformation lacking direct overlap between the spin centers. In this second region the 1,4-electronic communication is mediated by the oxygen's 2p-lone pair, which is suitably oriented to play the role of a "relay-antenna". The other critical factor affecting the rate of intersystem crossing (ISC)--singlet-triplet energy separation--was computed utilizing a multireference CASSCF-MP2 method to include dynamic correlation effects. The largest singlet-triplet energy gap, approximately 2 kcal/mol, was found for a gauche conformer (also a minimum SOC conformation). Rotation about the central C-O bond either toward the fully eclipsed (0 degrees ) or the partially eclipsed (120 degrees ) conformations decreases the singlet-triplet gap while increasing the value of the SOC matrix element. These computational findings support the Griesbeck model for stereochemistry of triplet PB reactions and provide a rigorous basis for predicting the probability of ISC in diradicals separated by a partially conjugated spacer.
Differential expression of CD45 isoforms is controlled by the combined activity of basal and inducible splicing-regulatory elements in each of the variable exons.

The human CD45 gene encodes five isoforms of a transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase that differ in their extracellular domains as a result of alternative splicing of exons 4–6. Expression of the CD45 isoforms is tightly regulated in peripheral T cells such that resting cells predominantly express the larger CD45 isoforms, encoded by mRNAs containing two or three variable exons. In contrast, activated T cells express CD45 isoforms encoded by mRNAs lacking most or all of the variable exons. We have previously identified the sequences within CD45 variable exon 4 that control its level of inclusion into spliced mRNAs. Here we map the splicingregulatory sequences within CD45 variable exons 5 and 6. We show that, like exon 4, exons 5 and 6 each contain an exonic splicing silencer (ESS) and an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE), which together determine the level of exon inclusion in naive cells. We further demonstrate that the primary activation-responsive silencing motif in exons 5 and 6 is homologous to that in exon 4 and, as in exon 4, binds specifically to the protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L. Together these studies reveal common themes in the regulation of the CD45 variable exons and provide a mechanistic explanation for the observed physiological expression of CD45 isoforms.
Cumulative psychosocial and medical risk as predictors of early infant development and parenting stress in an African-American preterm sample

The present study examined predictive linkages between cumulative psychosocial and medical risk, assessed neonatally, and infant development and parenting stress at 4 months of infant corrected age. Predominantly low-income, African-American mothers and their preterm infants served as participants. Cumulative psychosocial risk predicted early mental, but not motor development, while cumulative medical risk predicted both mental and motor development. Cumulative psychosocial risk, but not medical risk, predicted parenting stress. Few studies of preterm infants have reported links between cumulative psychosocial risk and infant development at such an early age, nor has earlier work found associations between cumulative psychosocial risk and mothers' perceptions of parenting. Results support the premise that early intervention should target both the medical and psychosocial needs of low-income families with preterm infants, and that addressing psychosocial stressors shortly after birth may improve developmental outcomes in infancy.
GABAB modulation improves sequence disambiguation in computational models of hippocampal region CA3

Computational models of hippocampal region CA3 were used to study the role of theta rhythm in storage and retrieval of temporal sequences of neuronal activity patterns. Retrieval of multiple overlapping temporal sequences requires a mechanism for disambiguation, e.g., for choosing between two sequences with the same starting pattern but different final patterns (forked sequences). Modulatory input to the hippocampus from the medial septum may enhance the disambiguation of pattern sequences by causing phasic changes in the relative strength of afferent input and recurrent excitation. In the models, the strength of recurrent synaptic transmission is modulated by activation of GABAB receptors. Theta frequency inputs from the medial septum cause oscillations in the levels of GABA in the model, producing phasic changes in the strength of synaptic potentials during a theta cycle similar to those observed experimentally (Wyble et al., Soc Neurosci Abstr 1997;23:197.7). These phasic changes in GABAB suppression improve sequence disambiguation in the simulations, as previously shown with analysis of a simpler model (Sohal and Hasselmo, Neural Comp 1998;10:889–902). In addition, tonic changes in levels of cholinergic modulation enhance the storage of forked sequences by preventing a strong influence of recurrent synapses during storage. Hippocampus 1998;8:171–193. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The measurement of ionization and appearance potentials

Abstract Measurement techniques and methods of data interpretation leading to ionization potentials, appearance potentials and heats of formation of gaseous positive ions are summarized and critically discussed. Special attention is paid to defining the accuracies, problems and limitations of the techniques and interpretations. References have been selected and cited which discuss these matters in more detail.
Superficial fungal infections of the skin : diagnosis and current treatment recommendations

Superficial fungal infections are common. Most diagnoses of fungal infections of the skin can be made by physical examination, assisted by the use of a Wood’s lamp, skin scrapings for microscopic examination, and fungal cultures.
The Evolution of Lacustrine Environments on Mars: Is Mars Only Hydrologically Dormant?

Abstract This study surveys the evolution of martian impact crater paleolakes through time by establishing their age, comparing their locations, and describing the formation of lacustrine sedimentary structures and features over time. We explore their meaning in terms of global climate changes, but also on local and regional scales. We observe a co-location between recent impact crater paleolakes and regions where GCM modeling shows that Mars is currently experiencing days above triple point and below boiling point of water. Some source areas show morphologies that could be consistent with ancient glacier features in the Argyre Basin/Darwin Crater region, in locations that are also consistent with GCM models of past snow precipitation on Mars. We propose that, at least for some paleolakes, our results are best explained by recent, and abundant, aqueous activity on Mars, with some meteorological contribution. These results are supported by other recent findings on martian meteorite ages, by the analysis of new MGS data showing recent volcanic and fluvial activity, and by climate modeling. They point toward the possibility that Mars currently is only hydrologically dormant and that there is a potential for hydrological activity to be generated again in the future following changes in the planet's orbital parameters.
Cloud security tactics: Virtualization and the VMM

Cloud Computing is acclaimed to be the new paradigm that will reform organizations and pave the way to new and better business practices. Its abundant features captivated the interest of many individuals and organizations, either as customers or providers. The market, emboldened by optimistic reports regarding the future of cloud computing, demands further innovative services and features. The migration to cloud computing, however, is deterred by the issue of security. Especially, in virtual environments, security is a major concern, as multi-tenancy may facilitate cyber attacks at a massive scale. The subversion of a system implicates multiple customers, augmenting the potential impact. Thus, researchers have concentrated their efforts in designing architectures and techniques that will endorse security in virtualized environments of the cloud. In this paper, we present the latest proposed techniques which aim to enhance security and revolve directly or indirectly around the most important component of the virtual environment, the Virtual Machine Monitor.
Corporate Entrepreneurship Regimes for Sustaining Breakthrough Innovation

The research reported in this paper draws on an ongoing (start date-1995) prospective study of Breakthrough Innovation in large established corporations. We employ multiple case study techniques to...