cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleotide sequence of the S RNA of Lassa virus (Nigerian strain) and comparative analysis of arenavirus gene products

The nucleotide sequence of the small (S) genomic RNA of Lassa virus (strain GA391, of Nigerian origin) has been determined. The RNA has features which conform to those seen in most other arenavirus S RNAs which have been characterised, including conserved terminal sequences, an ambisense arrangement of the coding regions for the precursor glycoprotein (GPC) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins and an intergenic region capable of forming a base-paired "hairpin" structure. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence with that of the Josiah strain of Lassa virus (from Sierra Leone) reveals considerable nucleotide divergence in the third base of codons in the reading frames of all three proteins, although the resulting protein sequences are highly conserved, with 92, 94 and 91% identical residues for the mature glycoproteins G1 and G2 and the N protein, respectively. Sequence alignments of the available arenavirus structural proteins and dendrograms summarising the relationships between the viral proteins are presented.
The effect of a fine urethral pressure-measuring catheter on urinary flow in females

Urodynamic evaluations of 221 female patients and 21 normal female subjects were performed to study the effects of a small ureteral catheter in the urethra on various voiding parameters. We found that the catheter induced a significant diminution of flow rate, interruption of flow, and stretching and flattening of the flow curves with respect to time. The most marked changes occurred in normal subjects and in patients with stress incontinence. The diminution of flow rate induced by the catheter was not strongly related to disease and varied so greatly within each statistical grouping that it was not possible to separate clearly the effects according to disease. Since the effects of the catheter were most marked on the normal population, catheter-induced reduction of flow rate could not be used as an index of urinary outflow obstruction.
APPΔNL695 expression in murine tissue downregulates CNBP expression

The cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) is a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in regulation of transcription and translation. CNBP, and its encoding gene ZNF9, have been shown to be involved in type 2 myotonic dystrophy. Both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) are age-related degenerative diseases associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid. Overexpression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in mice has been used to generate models of both diseases. We show here that overexpression of APP in skeletal muscle from a mouse model of sIBM reduces the expression of CNBP significantly. We examined CNBP expression in a brain-specific APP-overexpressing strain, and a whole body APP knock-in strain, and found that there was a reduction in CNBP expression in tissue expressing APP(Swe). We conclude that expression of APP(Swe) in murine tissue induces a decrease in CNBP expression. This effect does not appear to be due to alterations in CNBP transcription. APP(Swe) expression may provide a tool for the study of CNBP regulation and clues to the roles of both proteins in disease.
Grand unified theories and proton decay

Grand unified theories, in which the strong and electroweak interactions are embedded into an underlying theory with a single gauge coupling constant, are reviewed. A detailed description is given of many of the necessary background topics, including gauge theories, spontaneous symmetry breaking, the standard SU2 x U1 electroweak model and its modifications and extensions, Majorana and Dirac neutrino masses, the induced cosmological term, CP violation, quantum chromodynamics and its symmetries, and dynamical symmetry breaking. The Georgi-Glashow SU5 model is examined in detail. Models based on unitary, orthogonal, exceptional, and semi-simple groups and general constraints on model building are surveyed. Phenomenological aspects of grand unified theories are described, including the determination of the unification mass, the prediction of sin2 θw in various models, existing and planned nucleon decay experiments, the predictions for the proton lifetime and branching ratios, general baryon number violating interactions, and the possible explanation of the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe. Other aspects of grand unified theories are discussed, including horizontal symmetries, neutrino and fermion masses, topless models, asymptotic freedom, implications for the neutral current, CP violation, superheavy magnetic monopoles, dynamical symmetry breaking, and the hierarchy problem.
Flash-photolysis of fully reduced and mixed-valence CO-bound Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochrome c oxidase: heme spectral shifts.

Conformational changes, internal electron transfer, and CO rebinding processes in cytochrome c oxidase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides reduced to different degrees were investigated. The reactions wer...
Comparison of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy with core-needle biopsy in the evaluation of thyroid nodules.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic rate of ultra-sound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) with the diagnostic rate of combined FNAB and core-needle biopsy in the evaluation of nodular thyroid disease.Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study by reviewing charts of patients who underwent ultra-sound-guided FNAB and core-needle biopsy of the thyroid at a tertiary referral center from January 1999 to December 2001. Results were classified as diagnostic (negative, suspicious, or positive for malignancy) or nondiagnostic. These findings were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group who underwent only FNAB. Complications between the groups were reviewed.Results: The patient group consisted of 320 patients who underwent 340 ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and core-needle biopsies of the thyroid; the control group consisted of 311 patients who underwent 340 FNABs. There was no significant difference in the nondiagnostic rates between groups—12.9% in patients who had F...
The crossed-beam scattering method in studies of ion-molecule reaction dynamics

Abstract An overview of experimental techniques and instrumentation used in beam scattering studies of the dynamics of elementary ion-molecule reactions is presented. Procedure used in processing and presenting the scattering data is summarized. Selected examples of scattering studies are given to illustrate on some of the processes studied the achievements of this method in investigating ion-molecule dynamics, in particular the dynamics of chemical reactions of ions.
A class of robust edge detectors based on latin squares

Abstract The theory of Latin Square experimental designs is extended to edge detection of multi-grey level pictorial data. Latin Square designs are realized using mask operations either as a square or in linear forms using ANOVA to estimate the model parameters. The test statistics are based upon the robust F -test and the thresholds are selected by an empirical interactive process. A post hoc comparison method is used to confine the edge element ambiguities to 2-pixel layer thickness in masks greater than 2 × 2 × k . Computer simulations are shown to verify the theory.
What's in a grade? The multidimensional nature of what teacher-assigned grades assess in high school

Historically, teacher-assigned grades have been seen as unreliable subjective measures of academic knowledge, since grades and standardized tests have traditionally correlated at about the 0.5 to 0.6 level, and thus explain about 25–35% of each other. However, emerging literature indicates that grades may be a multidimensional assessment of both student academic knowledge and a student's ability to negotiate the social processes of schooling, such as behavior, participation, and effort. This study analyzed the high school transcript component of the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002) using multidimensional scaling (MDS) to describe the relationships between core subject grades, non-core subject grades, and standardized test scores in mathematics and reading. The results indicate that when accounting for the academic knowledge component assessed through standardized tests, teacher-assigned grades may be a useful assessment of a student's ability at the non-cognitive aspects of school. Implicat...
Case Study: Chronic Femoropopliteal Prosthetic Graft Infection With Exposed Graft

One of the most feared complications following vascular reconstruction is infection due to the attendant risks of limb loss, sepsis, or death. The reported incidence of infection following infrainguinal prosthetic graft infection is 2.5% with associated mortality rates and amputation rates of 18% and 41%, respectively. There are several options in treating infected prosthetic infrainguinal bypass grafts. Some authors have advocated complete removal of the infected graft with concomitant in situ revascularization using autogenous tissue or extra-anatomic bypass using either autogenous or prosthetic material, depending upon the clinical circumstances. Other authors have advocated attempting graft preservation to decrease the risk of amputation. Infected, thrombosed grafts are generally treated with graft excision alone with care taken to preserve collateral flow. The treatment options may also be influenced by the type of infection, as infections caused by gram-negative bacteria are thought to be more virulent than those associated with gram-positive bacteria. We recently treated a patient with an 18-month history of an exposed prosthetic graft in the groin, which was infected by Proteus mirabilis. Despite the extended period of graft exposure and despite gram-negative bacteria being the causative organism, the patient reported only intermittent drainage of pus from the groin. The management of this unusual infection forms the basis of this report.
Nocardia bacteremia: Report of 4 cases and review of the literature

Bacteremic nocardiosis is reported rarely. We discuss 4 recent cases seen at our institution and 32 other cases described in the English literature. We found that patients with bacteremic nocardiosis were similar in presentation, risk factors, course, and therapeutic outcome to nonbacteremic patients with nocardiosis. The presence of endovascular foreign bodies appeared to be the only unique risk factor associated with bacteremic illness. Seeding of the central nervous system appeared to be relatively uncommon. Thirty percent of patients with nocardemia had concomitant bacteremia with other pathogens, mostly Gram-negative organisms. Nocardia grew in a variety of growth media, and the median incubation time to detection was 4 days. Fifty percent of patients with Nocardia bacteremia died. Positive blood cultures were a preterminal finding in the fatal, acute cases and occurred relatively early in the subacute, nonfatal cases. Poor outcome seemed to correlate with acute onset of nocardiosis (duration less than 1 month), late identification of nocardemia, involvement of more than 2 sites, and the lack of treatment with a sulfonamide-containing regimen.
Secured node-to-node key agreement for wireless sensor networks

Sensor networks are mostly deployed in unsecured environments, thus protecting a sensor network from any attack is critical in order to maintain the health of the network. Recently, many researchers have focused on making security for sensor networks available and reliable. In this paper, a secured node-to-node key agreement protocol is proposed to generate secured communication among principle nodes A and B, a ticket granting server, and a key server. Since a sensor network is usually a resource-constrained infrastructure, it is not suitable for computationally expensive asymmetric key protocols such as public-private key cryptography. Therefore, setting up a shared key in our proposed protocol is based on a symmetric key protocol processed by two trusted agents, which are the ticket granting server and the key server. The data confidentiality, authentication, and freshness of the network security are also considered in the design of the proposed protocol.
Optical logic redux

Abstract Twenty years ago IBM physicist Robert Keyes published a paper entitled “Optical Logic—in the light of computer technology.” It caused an instant furor in the fledgling optical logic community. Now, 20 years after that devastating critique, the field of optical logic has grown enormously. There are literally thousands of papers. Many of them are collected in a bibliography given here. Was Keyes’ critique wrong? Have opticists simply ignored what Keyes pointed out? Have new developments made some of his remarks not quite so relevant? We argue here that • Keyes was and still is mostly correct, but that may change in a few years • Many researchers have indeed simply ignored what he said • New developments in both optical logic and its applications open niches for optical logic that Keyes did not (and probably could not) anticipate • New and anticipated developments in electronics may increase the role for optics
Nanoplasmonic Fluorescence Enhancement Applied to Study of Ion Channels

A metal nanoparticle can act as an antenna capable of increasing both the excitation rate and quantum yield of a fluorophore in close proximity to the nanoparticle. These properties thus enhance the fluorescence yielding an increase in brightness and decrease of the photobleaching rate - a highly useful tool in fluorescence studies of membrane proteins from the macroscopic to single molecule level. We have applied this technique to image purified membrane proteins in supported bilayer. The biological sample is purified KcsA K-channels labeled with TMR-6-M in the bundle crossing and reconstituted as proteoliposomes. We have also studied the membrane fluorophore DiI C18 in supported bilayer as a control. Among the many approaches towards fabrication of effective nanoparticles, we have synthesized spherical silver nanoparticles of ∼100 nm diameter coated with a thin SiO2 outer layer (Ag@SiO2). We have explored different size particles and various SiO2 thicknesses to find experimental conditions for optimal fluorescence enhancement. The SiO2 layer provides protection from chemical attack, acts as a spacer layer to avoid direct metal-fluorophore quenching, and allows surface functionalization. We have conjugated silica-coated silver particles to glass coverslips via polylysine (PL) in order to achieve a high-density silver nanoparticle monolayer. We record fluorescence from the labeled ion channels in an inverted TIRF microscope configuration imaged with a high-speed EMCCD camera. KcsA proteoliposomes are added to an Ag@SiO2-PL coverslip surface to rupture as supported bilayer patches for single molecule imaging. DiI liposomes were used in the same way. The KcsA-TMR and DiI samples show enhancement of at least 4-fold and 10-fold, respectively, compared to the same sample without nanoparticles. These results demonstrate the utility of this technique in fluorescence studies of ion channels or other membrane proteins. Supported by NIH 1R21MH078822 & 1F31NS054532.
Climatology of the Sierra Nevada Mountain-Wave Events

Abstract This note presents a satellite-based climatology of the Sierra Nevada mountain-wave events. The data presented were obtained by detailed visual inspection of visible satellite imagery to detect mountain lee-wave clouds based on their location, shape, and texture. Consequently, this climatology includes only mountain-wave events during which sufficient moisture was present in the incoming airstream and whose amplitude was large enough to lead to cloud formation atop mountain-wave crests. The climatology is based on data from two mountain-wave seasons in the 1999–2001 period. Mountain-wave events are classified in two types according to cloud type as lee-wave trains and single wave clouds. The frequency of occurrence of these two wave types is examined as a function of the month of occurrence (October–May) and region of formation (north, middle, south, or the entire Sierra Nevada range). Results indicate that the maximum number of mountain-wave events in the lee of the Sierra Nevada occurs in the m...
TIME MEASUREMENTS WITH Ge(Li) DETECTORS.

Abstract A method of obtaining improved time resolution from coincidence measurements utilizing large volume Ge(Li) detectors is presented. The analysis indicates that a time resolution of the order of 1 ns is obtainable if a preamplifier with a short rise time is used. An experimental time resolution of 3.8 ns is obtained using a preamplifier with a rise time considerably longer than the charge collection time constant of a Ge(Li) detector. These results all apply to detection of gamma rays having a large range of energies detected with a large volume coaxial detector.
Exploring the Potential Advantages of Light-Weight Valves in Internal Combustion Engines

This paper presents an investigation into the potential efficiency and performance improvements in an internal combustion engine by changing the mass and stiffness of valve train components, specifically the mass of the valve and the stiffness of the valve spring. Changes in valve mass affect the dynamic response of the valve train, so changes in other components must be made to maintain reliable and efficient engine operation. In order to quantify the potential benefits of lightweight engine valves, a dynamic model of the complete valve train system was developed. This model was experimentally validated on a motored engine in which the valve motion was measured for different combinations of valve mass, spring stiffness and engine speed. This paper describes the development and validation of the dynamic model, and discusses the effects of varying the valve mass and valve spring stiffness. It was found that a 75% reduction in the mass of the valves (as expected through the use of fiber reinforced composites) could reduce the maximum camshaft drive torque and frictional power by about 60–70%.© 2006 ASME
A user’s guide to the evolutionary argument against naturalism

Alvin Plantinga has famously argued that metaphysical naturalism is self-defeating, and cannot be rationally accepted. I distinguish between two different ways of understanding this argument, which I call the "probabilistic inference conception", and the "process characteristic conception". I argue that the former is what critics of the argument usually presuppose, whereas most critical responses fail when one assumes the latter conception. To illustrate this, I examine three standard objections to Plantinga's evolutionary argument against naturalism: the Perspiration Objection, the Tu Quoque Objection, and the "Why Can't the Naturalist Just Add a Little Something?" Objection. I show that Plantinga's own responses to these objections fail, and propose counterexamples to his first two principles of defeat. I then go on to construct more adequate responses to these objections, using the distinctions I develop in the first part of the paper.
Exploring the learning curve, pathological outcomes and perioperative morbidity of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy performed for renal mass.

ABSTRACT Purpose: We investigated the learning curve, pathological results and perioperative morbidity of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Materials and Methods: The records of all LPN cases at our institution between January 1999 and March 2004 were reviewed. Of 223 cases 217 (97.3%) were performed for an enhancing renal mass. Results: Mean tumor size was 2.6 cm (range 1 to 10) and 95.4% of patients had a normal contralateral kidney. Transient vascular control was performed in 75.1% of cases. Mean operative time (186 minutes) decreased with surgeon experience (p = 0.003) but was independent of tumor size (p = 0.964). Mean warm ischemia time (27.6 minutes) depended on tumor size (p = 0.005) but not on experience (0.964). Mean blood loss was 385 cc and the perioperative transfusion rate was 6.9%. Postoperative complications occurred in 23 cases (10.6%) with the most common being ileus (1.8%), bleeding (1.8%) and urinary leakage (1.4%). Although the mean serum creatinine change after LPN was a function of tumor size (p Conclusions: LPN is an effective approach for treating small renal masses with low perioperative morbidity. Contrary to previous reports, more than 30% of the enhancing renal lesions excised in this series were found to be benign on final pathological evaluation.
Wine Quality, Wine Prices, and the Weather: Is Napa “Different”?*

This paper uses a large longitudinal database (nearly 6,000 observations) of all cabernet sauvignon wines rated by Wine Spectator from 1970 to 2004 in the Napa Valley region of California to investigate whether a quality-weather relationship and a price-weather relationship exist and, if so, whether they occur in a linear, quadratic, or log-linear fashion. The paper examines three different models of wine rating and wine prices to study the effect of weather variations. The results suggest that the weather affects both quality and wine prices, but the results are much stronger for prices than for ratings. A log-linear model can explain nearly 92 percent of the variation in wine prices, but only about 28 percent of the variation in wine ratings. (JEL Classification: C23, Q54)
Valuing US climate amenities for Americans using an hedonic pricing framework

This paper estimates the marginal willingness to pay for climate amenity in the US using hedonic pricing and wage models. Research identifies that higher January temperatures are an amenity and households are willing to pay approximately US$5.90 ($2004) per month for a 1°F increase in the January temperature. Unlike the January temperature, higher July temperatures and precipitation are both disamenities, and households seek compensation of approximately US$5.46 ($2004) per month for a 1°F increase in July temperatures and approximately US$4.50 ($2004) per month for a 1-inch increase in precipitation.
Using FLI maps for preliminary spacecraft trajectory design in multi-body environments

Fast Lyapunov Indicator (FLI) maps are presented as a tool for solving spacecraft preliminary trajectory design problems in multi-body environments with long-term stability requirements. In particular, the FLI maps are shown to provide a global overview of the dynamics in the restricted three-body problem that can guide mission designers in selecting long-term stable regions of phase space which are inherently more robust to model parameter perturbations. The FLI is also shown to numerically detect the normally hyperbolic manifolds associated with unstable periodic orbits. These, in turn, provide a global map of the principal heteroclinic connections between the various resonance regions which form the basic backbone of dynamical transfers design. Examples of maps and transfers are provided in the restricted three-body problem modeling the Jupiter–Europa system.
Association of Single Coronary Artery and Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve with Review of Literature

A 59-year-old white male presents to our hospital with shortness of breath, bilateral lower extremities swelling, an ejection systolic murmur, and S4 gallop. Echocardiography revealed a congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Subsequent coronary angiogram revealed a single coronary artery arising as a main trunk from the left coronary sinus. We report the second case of a single coronary artery and congenital BAV.
Boosting a wavelet packet transform based landmine detector

We consider landmine detection using forward-looking ground penetrating radar (FLGPR), which is quite challenging due to the weak signal returns of landmines. The two main challenging tasks include extracting intricate structures of the target signals from the radar imagery and adapting the classifier to the surrounding environment through learning. Through the time-frequency analysis, we find that the most discriminant information is time-frequency localized. This observation motivates us to use the wavelet packet transform to sparsely represent the signals with the discriminant information encoded into several bases. Then the sequential floating forward selection method is used to extract these components and thereby a neural network classifier is designed. To further improve the classification performance, the AdaBoost algorithm is used. We modify the original AdaBoost algorithm to integrate the feature selection process into each iteration. Experimental results based on measured FLGPR data are presented, showing that with the proposed classifier, a significant improvement on both the training and the testing performances can be achieved.
Effects on Birds of Fenthion Aerial Application for Mosquito Control

Effects on birds of an aerial application of fenthion, a potent organophosphorus cholinesterase (ChE)-inhibiting insecticide, were assessed on four study sites 1.8 to 3.6 km2 in size. These sites were located within 121.5 km2 of wet meadows treated with 47 g of fenthion (AI) per ha in ultra-low-volume formulation. Assessment methods were searches for sick or dead birds, measurements of brain ChE activity in specimens found dead or collected alive at different time intervals, and counts of bird populations. After treatment, 99 birds and 15 mammals were found sick or dead; 106 of these were on one site. Brain ChE activity in dead birds was depressed sufficiently to indicate that death was caused by an anti-ChE substance. Brain ChE activity in three common bird species collected alive showed the greatest reduction 2 days postspray. Two of these species had ChE activity that was still significantly ( P <0.05) depressed 15 days postspray. Bird populations declined most where mortality was heaviest. Fenthion sprayed for mosquito control was life threatening to many birds inhabiting treated meadows.
Bayesian inference of hidden corrosion in steel bridge connections: Non-contact and sparse contact approaches

Abstract This paper describes approaches for inferring the presence and nature of hidden corrosion occurring between connection plies in steel truss bridges. The proposed methods furnish, both non-contact and very sparse contact inspection modalities supporting this goal. The work is numerical in nature and involves the solution of stochastic inverse problems, in a Bayesian setting, in order to quantify uncertainty in modeling parameter estimation describing hidden corrosion ( i.e. corrosion that cannot be directly visualized). A non-contact approach, involving a digital infrared camera, is described. Additionally, the paper also describes a means for employing so-called Gappy Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (Gappy-POD) in permitting a tiny number of contact temperature sensors to be applied for characterization of the same hidden corrosion.
Learning in a hierarchical control system: 4D/RCS in the DARPA LAGR program

The Defense Applied Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Learning Applied to Ground Vehicles (LAGR) program aims to develop algorithms for autonomous vehicle navigation that learn how to operate in complex terrain. Over many years, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a reference model control system architecture called 4D/RCS that has been applied to many kinds of robot control, including autonomous vehicle control. For the LAGR program, NIST has embedded learning into a 4D/RCS controller to enable the small robot used in the program to learn to navigate through a range of terrain types. The vehicle learns in several ways. These include learning by example, learning by experience, and learning how to optimize traversal. Learning takes place in the sensory processing, world modeling, and behavior generation parts of the control system. The 4D/RCS architecture is explained in the paper, its application to LAGR is described, and the learning algorithms are discussed. Results are shown of the performance of the NIST control system on independently-conducted tests. Further work on the system and its learning capabilities is discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Preliminary Assessment of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Resources

Worldwide power resources that could be extracted from Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants are estimated with a simple one-dimensional time-domain model of the thermal structure of the ocean. Recently published steady-state results are extended by partitioning the potential OTEC production region in one-degree-by-one-degree “squares” and by allowing the operational adjustment of OTEC operations. This raises the estimated maximum steady-state OTEC electrical power from about 3TW(109kW) to 5TW. The time-domain code allows a more realistic assessment of scenarios that could reflect the gradual implementation of large-scale OTEC operations. Results confirm that OTEC could supply power of the order of a few terawatts. They also reveal the scale of the perturbation that could be caused by massive OTEC seawater flow rates: a small transient cooling of the tropical mixed layer would temporarily allow heat flow into the oceanic water column. This would generate a long-term steady-state warming of deep tropical waters, and the corresponding degradation of OTEC resources at deep cold seawater flow rates per unit area of the order of the average abyssal upwelling. More importantly, such profound effects point to the need for a fully three-dimensional modeling evaluation to better understand potential modifications of the oceanic thermohaline circulation.
Tumbling of hypervelocity rods induced by impact with oblique plate targets

Abstract We investigated the cause of tumbling by hypervelocity rods after impact with oblique plate targets. The projectiles were strong rods, length to diameter ratio of 6 to 10, prepared from aluminum (10 tests) or steel (5 tests), launched at velocities of 4.2 to 4.8 km/s, and impacted into like material targets. The rods had little or no initial yaw (the average yaw was 1.8°). The residual projectile properties of length, tumbling rate and radial velocity were measured and evaluated in a simple model for rod tumbling. The model is based on the observation that plastic shear continues at the nose of the rod for a finite time after target perforation. Based on the observed tumbling rate, duration of plastic flow and the inertia of the residual rod an implicit determination of the shear strength of the rod was obtained. The calculated shear strength was in fair agreement with static shear values.
Chemical induction of settlement behavior in larvae of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin)

Abstract Although numerous studies have been conducted to examine the effects of neuroactive compounds on bivalve larvae, few have identified chemicals capable of inducing settlement behavior in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. In this study, we placed competent C. virginica larvae in the microwells of tissue culture plates and treated them with select chemicals to identify those that were capable of inducing larvae to exhibit settlement behavior. These behavioral assays were recorded using video microscopy and the extension of the foot was the characteristic searching behavior that was quantified. The compounds γ-aminobutyric acid (10− 4 M) and acetylcholine chloride (10− 4 M) did not significantly increase the percentage of larvae exhibiting settlement behavior at a salinity of approximately 8.5 ± 0.2. As compared with a control, a significant increase in settlement behavior was induced at this salinity by treatment with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (10− 4 M), 5-hydroxytryptamine (10− 4 M), and l -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (10− 4 M) as well as ammonia as a solution of 7.9 mM NH4Cl (pH = 8.0). These new findings differ from the results of similar studies involving other species in the genus Crassostrea and have the potential to improve setting efficiencies on a large scale by allowing hatchery personnel to trigger a controlled, synchronized settlement event of these larvae.
Author-supported open access inEstuaries and Coasts

Estuaries and Coasts begins a three-year trial period with this issue in which authors can, by paying an open access fee, have their articles available online to all viewers. Because journals cannot rely of continuing subscription revenues if their articles are already freely available online, open access fees will be expected to cover the costs of production so that the journal will remain financially viable even when subscription revenues are no longer present. Our transition from a subscription-based budget to one in which open access fees cover production costs will include fee discounts for authors who are members of the Estuarine Research Federation and whose institutions have current subscriptions to the journal in recognition that these sources of revenue now support publication of the journal.
Diasporas in the contemporary world

Diasporas in the contemporary world, by Milton Esman, Cambridge and Malden, MA, Polity Press, 2009, vi + 210 pp., £50.00/$59.95 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-7456-4496-7; £14.99/$24.95 (paperback), ISBN 9...
Polymerase chain reaction detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in Macaca fascicularis using archived tissues

This study describes conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods developed to detect and quantify Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks archived for periods of up to 6 years. The highest concentration of T. cruzi DNA was found in the myocardium, urinary bladder, stomach, lymph node, adrenal gland, and colon. The concentration of T. cruzi DNA detected in cardiac tissues was 10–100-fold greater than found elsewhere; the mean concentrations of T. cruzi DNA in non-cardiac tissues were otherwise comparable. Trypanosoma cruzi DNA was amplified from cerebrum but not cerebellum or kidney. Successful use of DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks is important because most pathology laboratories routinely archive wax blocks. This archived resource can be used for further studies on the prevalence of this disease.
Short-term recognition memory for single letters and phonemic similarity of retroactive interference

Copying 12 letters produces more retroactive interference in recognition memory for a single letter when the interference letters possess a vowel sound in common with the letter to be remembered than when they do not. Compared to interference lists that do not include the presented letter, inclusion in the interference list of the letter to be remembered improves recognition memory when the other interference letters have no vowel sound in common with the letter to be remembered, but not otherwise. False recognition rates are greater when the test letter contains a vowel sound in common with the presented letter than when the vowel sounds of these two letters are different. The findings are in complete accord with analogous findings for short-term recall and indicate that short-term recognition memory uses the same phonemic-associative memory system as short-term recall.
Electric Power and Energy Engineering: The First Century

Electric power and energy engineering has as a basic tenet the relief of humankind of its burden, and the transmission and processing of information. In this paper, the salient advances of the first century of the electrification of the World is reviewed with special emphasis on the contemporary design and operation of electric power and energy systems. The advancements of power engineering are reviewed from a 2012 perspective, and issues of sustainability and the utilization of renewable resources are discussed.
Hygrothermal Ageing of an Epoxy Adhesive Used in FRP Strengthening of Concrete

The efficiency of strengthening of deteriorating concrete through the external bonding of prefabricated fiber reinforced composite strips to the concrete substrate depends on the durability of the adhesive. In this application, adhesives can be exposed to water and salt water, as well as alkali solution resulting from the permeation of water through concrete. This paper presents the results of a durability program designed to study the effects of ageing and environment on the durability of a typical adhesive used in external bonding, through characterization of moisture uptake and cure and investigation by dynamic thermal mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile testing. It is seen that the adhesive shows two-stage diffusion with primary deterioration taking place in the first phase. Exposure to moisture is seen to cause plasticization and decreases in performance characteristics. The decrease in glass transition temperature due to hygrothermal ageing is such that the level is very close to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) recommended value of the wet glass transition temperature being at least 30°F higher than the maximum operation temperature. Overall, the effect of salt solution exposure is seen to have the least effect, whereas exposure to concrete based alkali solution has the greatest deteriorative effect. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Culture, Positive and Negative Face Threats, and Apology Intentions

This study investigated cultural differences in apology intentions moderated by the threatened face type and the relationship between interactants. With Chinese and U.S. undergraduate participants, this study revealed that (a) offending acts were more face-threatening toward a stranger than toward a friend; (b) apology intention was stronger for a stranger than for a friend; (c) for threatening negative face, Americans had stronger apology intentions than did Chinese, whereas for threatening positive face, Chinese had stronger apology intentions than did Americans; (d) situational variations in negative and positive face threats significantly related to apology intentions; and (e) Americans' apology intention, compared with Chinese, was more strongly related to amount of negative face threat in each act.
Single-molecule studies of a model fluorenone.

Single-molecule fluorescence measurements of 2,7-bis(3,4,5-tri-methoxyphenylethenyl)fluorenone (OFOPV) reveal narrow emission spectra concentrated around 540 nm, with weak emission at longer wavelengths. The wide scattering of emission-maximum wavelengths is attributed to varying molecular environments, with dimers or higher-order aggregates contributing to the low-energy emission. This spectral distribution indicates that emission from monomers of this model fluorenone is mostly green, which is consistent with contaminant emission (g-bands) often observed in fluorene- and polyfluorene-based organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices. A histogram of center wavelengths from 118 single-molecule spectra shows good agreement with the green emission previously observed in thermally stressed 2,7-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylethenyl)-9,9-diethylfluorene (OFPV). Whereas bulk OFPV exhibits blue fluorescence at about 480 nm, OFOPV bulk thin film measurements reveal red luminescence shifted to 630 nm. This unexpected peak position for bulk OFOPV shifts to higher energies (ca. 540 nm) upon dilution in a solid-state matrix, suggesting that the bulk red emission finds its origins in interactions between fluorenone molecules. Explanations for this red emission include aggregate or excimer formation or intermolecular energy transfer between fluorenone molecules.
Understanding the Increase in Disability Insurance Benefit Receipt in the United States.

The share of working-age Americans receiving disability benefits from the federal Disability Insurance (DI) program has increased significantly in recent decades, from 2.2 percent in the late 1970s to 3.6 percent in the years immediately preceding the 2007-2009 recession and 4.6 percent in 2013. With the federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund currently projected to be depleted in 2016, Congressional action of some sort is likely to occur within the next several years. It is therefore a good time to sort out the competing explanations for the increase in disability benefit receipt and to review some of the ideas that economists have put forth for reforming US disability programs.
Energy-efficient routing in multimedia ad hoc networks

A new protocol is presented for routing multimedia traffic in an energy-efficient manner in a frequency-hop, store-and-forward, packet radio network. The FH network employs an adaptive-transmission protocol integrated with a distributed, energy-aware routing protocol, based on least-resistance routing. Adaptive transmission gives rise to alternative paths through the network with different energy requirements. The adaptive routing and transmission protocols are designed to exploit the differences in the energy consumption of different routes and the service requirements of the different types of traffic. Results are provided that show that our energy-efficient routing protocol provides good service to the different types of media while conserving energy.
The Absent American Indian Treaties: An Update

Abstract This note represents further analysis of materials discussed in “The Absent American Indian Treaties: a guide to treaties never referenced at the federal court level” which appeared in 2001 in the Journal of Government Information, 28 , 171–178.
Wireless diversity through network coding

This paper investigates the diversity gain offered by implementing network coding (R. Ahlswede et al., 2000) over wireless communication links. The network coding algorithm is applied to both a wireless network containing a distributed antenna system (DAS) as well as one that supports user cooperation between users. The results show that network-coded DAS leads to better diversity performance as compared to conventional DAS, at a lower hardware cost and higher spectral efficiency. In the case of user cooperation, network coding yields additional diversity, especially when there are multiple users
Risk factors for death among older child and teenaged motor vehicle passengers.

Objective To identify and prioritize risk factors for passenger death. Design Retrospective cohort captured in 2 databases: US census of fatal crashes (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) and US-representative sample of police-reported crashes (National Automotive Sampling System Crash Data System). Setting Crashes in 50 states and the District of Columbia from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2005. Participants A total of 45 560 passengers aged 8 to 17 years in crashes, representing 2 545 168 passengers (weighted). Main Exposures Age and sex of driver, vehicle and road type, restraint use, seating position, day of week, month, time of day, and speed limit. Outcome Measure Passenger fatality. Results Approximately 424 000 passengers (aged 8-17 years) annually were in tow-away crashes and experienced a fatality rate of 3.9 per 1000. Just more than three-quarters as many passengers (aged 8-17 years) were in crashes with 16- to 19-year-old drivers as with all adult drivers (those aged ≥25 years), with double the passenger fatality rate. For drivers aged 16 to 17 years, passenger fatalities doubled between passenger ages 11 to 12 years and increased to a peak at a passenger age of 16 years. Of crashes with child passenger fatality, 21.2% involved alcohol. In crashes with drivers younger than 18 years, the greatest risk factors for death for passengers aged 8 to 17 years were drivers younger than 16 years, restraint nonuse, and high-speed roads (≥55 and 45-54 mph). Conclusions While passenger risks because of restraint nonuse require continued attention, interventions must be developed to address risk because of travel on high-speed roads and riding with drivers younger than 16 years. For safety, child passengers and their parents should monitor these characteristics of the drive and the driver. Anticipatory guidance about passenger risks should begin by the age of 11 years.
Design and testing of an economical wave generation facility

This project explores the design and construction of a water wave generation facility, completed at a very low cost. For less than /sup S/ 800, an embedded control system guiding a piston-type wavemaker in a small laboratory wave channel was designed and constructed. Wave generation presently relies on a PID position control algorithm, backed by linear wavemaker theory and paddle position feedback. Results show that the system closely tracked expected positions and velocities, but algorithm modifications to improve temporal response are needed to improve high-frequency performance. Finally, all of the necessary hardware components required for future integration of simultaneous active wave absorption have been included in the design.
A review of helical nanostructures: growth theories, synthesis strategies and properties

Helical nanomaterials represent an emerging group of nanostructures with unique spiral geometry as well as multiple functionalities owing to their enriched physical and chemical properties. With the novel properties enabled by their nanoscale dimension and unique geometry, the helical nanostructures may open opportunities to develop our understanding of new physics, chemistry and biology, and enable new nanodevice design and fabrication. This review article presents a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the latest progress in helical nanostructures synthesis, properties and potential applications. Specific attention is concentrated on the crystal growth theory for helical nanostructures, summary of the helical nanomaterials obtained so far, and their fabrication techniques as well as typical physical properties that can be potentially utilized for various applications.
IMM-DSS: intelligent multimedia decision support systems

This paper presents a new type of decision support system (DSS), the intelligent multimedia decision support system (IMM-DSS). This system is both a DSS and a DSS generator or development tool. It integrates, with synergy, different available computer-based tools. Expert systems (ES) and hypermedia (HM) technologies. Through this synergetic integration the system improves the problem analysis, problem solving and decision making processes. IMM-DSS incorporates text, computer graphics, analog video animation, and sound. It is highly interactive and intuitive. The human problem solver can use it as an enhanced, intelligent, multimedia, and very user-friendly DSS. IMM-DSS uses the hypertext (HT) nonlinear search paradigm, intelligent agents, tele-presence and group-communication software. It combines the total freedom of knowledge searching of HT, with the efficient guidance of an ES. The paper discusses the multiple possible applications of multimedia technology for problem solving and decision making, as well as the principles of the IMM-DSS. The future smart, multimedia DSS is also presented. >
Protection of Prior Learning in Complex Consumer Learning Environments

As a product category evolves, consumers have the opportunity to learn a series of feature-benefit associations. Initially, consumers learn that some features predict a critical benefit, whereas other features do not. Subsequently, consumers have the opportunity to assess if previously predictive features, or novel features, predict new product benefits. Surprisingly, later learning is characterized by attenuated learning about previously predictive features relative to novel features. This tendency to ignore previously predictive features is consistent with a desire to protect prior learning.