cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anomaly Detection and Cognizant Path Planning for Surveillance Operations using Aerial Robots

In this paper we address the problem of unsupervised anomaly detection and cognizant path planning for surveillance operations using aerial robots. Through one–class classification exploiting deep learned features on image data and a Bayesian technique to fuse, encode and update anomaly information on a real–time reconstructed occupancy map, the robot becomes capable of detecting and localizing anomalies in its environment. Provided this information, path planning for autonomous exploration of unknown areas and simultaneous maximization of the entropy of sensor observations over abnormal regions is developed. The method is verified experimentally through field deployments above a desert-like environment and in a parking lot. Furthermore, analysis results on the suitability of different deep learning–based and hand–engineered features for anomaly detection tasks are presented.
Water and Wastewater Services in Non-metropolitan New South Wales: A Critical Analysis of the Report of the Independent Inquiry

The Report of the Inquiry into water services in non-metropolitan New South Wales recommended that the state's local water utilities be 'aggregated' into 'regional groups organised either by means of a 'binding alliance' model, a 'council-owned regional water corporation' model, or the 'status quo for some large general purpose councils and county councils'. This paper critically examines these recommendations in the light of existing theoretical and empirical literature on structural reform in Australian local government generally, and water-utility reform specifically.
Rejuvenating the blood and bone marrow to slow aging-associated cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease

Parabiosis, blood exchange and plasma transfer experiments have highlighted the rejuvenating properties of young blood. Our Communications Biology study demonstrated that young bone marrow transplantation attenuates cognitive decline in old mice, with preservation of hippocampal synapses and reduced microglial reactivity. We now discuss subsequent studies that shed additional light on how blood impacts cognitive function, and potential clinical applications, including ongoing clinical trials with young plasma and experimental strategies targeting the hematopoietic system to slow or reverse cognitive decline. Research from Helen Goodridge and Clive Svendsen’s groups published in Communications Biology showed that young bone marrow transplantation slows down cognitive decline in old mice. The authors now discuss subsequent studies examining the relationship between blood components and aging-associated cognitive impairment and rejuvenation as well as their own ongoing work.
High-K Gate Dielectric GaN MOS-HEMTs with Regrown n+ InGaN Source/Drain (Invited Paper)

Due to its high Baliga and Johnson FoMs [1], [2] (Table I), GaN is a promising material for high-voltage power and high frequency, high-power RF applications [3]–[6]. Epitaxial integration of GaN on foreign substrates such as SiC [7]–[14], [30]–[32], sapphire [15], [16], and vastly lattice-mismatched substrates including Si(111) [17]–[24], Si(110) [25], [26], and miscut Si(100) [27]–[29] have already been demonstrated to achieve similarly outstanding mobility, 2DEG charge density and sheet resistance, $\mathrm{R}_{\mathrm{sh}}$ (Fig. 1). Therefore, to realize compact integration of energy-efficient applications such as integrated voltage regulators and RFFE power amplifiers for e.g., in lower power system-on-chip (SoC), it comes down to more than just a choice of the type of substrate, but more importantly, choosing the right transistor architecture. Such a GaN transistor will need to operate in enhancement-mode (e-mode) with low $\mathrm{I}_{\mathrm{OFF}}$ at 0V gate voltage, low gate leakage and provide high performance, i.e., low ON-resistance $(\mathrm{R}_{\mathrm{ON}})$ , high drive current, good RF output power, and power efficiency, all at lower SoC-compatible voltages [31], [32]. As such, high-k gate dielectric is needed to enable low gate leakage in e-mode and scale the oxide $(\mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{oxe}})$ to improve DIBL and $\mathrm{I}_{\mathrm{OFF}}$ , and regrown n+ source/drain is needed for high performance [30]–[32].
Remission or Transformation?: The Question of Recovery in First Episode Psychosis: Review of Recovering from a First Episode of Psychosis: An Integrated Approach to Early Intervention

Not long ago, the notion of psychotherapy for psychosis was felt to be contraindicated by perhaps the majority within mainstream psychiatry and psychology. While constructivists may have always arg...
Temperature Dependence of the Index of Refraction of Fused Silica

In order to explain the positive temperature coefficient of the visible index of refraction of fused silica I develop a simple model which assumes a single ultraviolet resonance. Assuming thermal broadening and using the Kramers- Kronig relations leads to a temperature coefficient in qualitative, but not quantitative, agreement with measurement.
Higher Order Identification and Control of Single Phase Inverters for Volt-Var Compensation

A novel approach for coordinated reactive power control strategy for multiple Single Phase Inverters (SPIs-here grid connected) using a higher order Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) identification is proposed in this paper. The proposed single phase inverter control strategy includes a supervisory control which encapsulates the generation of reactive power references for local inverter controllers using a higher order Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) technique. The architecture is based on dq-frame decoupled active and reactive power control for the SPIs. Main contribution is the high order identification technique that captures the sensitivity of the reactive power flow with respect to the voltage at the point of interest in the Distribution Network (DN). The results are tested on IEEE 123 bus system and it is observed that the proposed architecture shows higher percentage improvement in voltage control when compared to lower order identifiers.
Let’s Get Ready to Rumble: Assault in Space and Time:

Building on the growing literature of the spatial examination of criminality, this study examines the stability of crime related to mass gathering events over time. Specifically, we examine the imp...
A living bridge between two enemies: haustorium structure and evolution across parasitic flowering plants

Parasitic flowering plants are characterized by the development of an organ known as haustorium, which has evolved in multiple independent angiosperms clades. The haustorium has also been deemed “the most plastic of organs” due to its ability to accommodate physiological and anatomical differences between the parasite itself and its host plants. This is achieved through the development of vascular connections, which involve the differentiation of various specialized cell types by the parasite. The development, structure, and evolution of the haustorium and the connections it fosters are reviewed here considering all 12 parasitic plant lineages. A multi-level comparison between “model” parasitic plants, such as Orobanchaceae and Cuscuta species, with members of often neglected groups, such as Lennoaceae, Mitrastemonaceae, and Santalales yields the idea of a shared general body plan of the mature haustorium. This proposed haustorium bauplan is composed of an upper part, including structures associated with mechanical attachment to the host body, and a lower part, including all parasitic tissues and cell types within the host body. The analysis of multi-level convergence is also applied here to the comparison between haustoria and other plant organs. Considering the structure, molecular development, and functionality of this organ under the framework of continuum and process plant morphology, I propose the interpretation of haustoria as morphological misfits.
Band structure critical point energy in germanium–tin alloys with high tin contents

The dielectric functions of germanium–tin alloy thin-films, deposited by molecular beam epitaxy on bulk Ge substrates, with relatively high Sn contents from 15 to 27 at. %, were measured by variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry over the wavelength range from 0.190 to 6 μm, using a combination of ultraviolet-visible and infrared ellipsometers. The band structure critical point energies, specifically the E1 and E1 + Δ1 optical transitions, were extracted from the measurements by a method of parametric oscillator modeling and second derivative analysis. With increasing Sn content, the transitions shifted to lower energies, and for alloys with less than 20% Sn, the numerical values agreed reasonably with predictions based on deformation potential theory that accounted for film strain. For the higher Sn alloys, the critical point energies from measurements agreed less well with deformation potential theory. These results provide information on the band structure of GeSn alloys with high Sn contents, which are increasingly important for long-wave infrared devices and applications.
Ultra-deep sequencing reveals no evidence of oncogenic mutations or enrichment by ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

As CRISPR-based therapies enter the clinic, evaluation of the safety remains a critical and still active area of study. While whole genome sequencing is an unbiased method for identifying somatic mutations introduced by ex vivo culture and genome editing, this methodology is unable to attain sufficient read depth to detect extremely low frequency events that could result in clonal expansion. As a solution, we utilized an exon capture panel to facilitate ultra-deep sequencing of >500 tumor suppressors and oncogenes most frequently altered in human cancer. We used this panel to investigate whether transient delivery of high-fidelity Cas9 protein targeted to three different loci (using guide RNAs (gRNAs) corresponding to sites at AAVS1, HBB, and ZFPM2) at day 4 and day 10 timepoints post-editing resulted in the introduction or enrichment of oncogenic mutations. In three separate primary human HSPC donors, we identified a mean of 1,488 variants per Cas9 treatment (at
Highly specific and rapid immuno-fluorescent visualization and detection of E. coli O104:H4 with protein-A coated magnetic beads based LST-MUG assay

Abstract A method combining immunomagnetic separation and fluorescent sensing was developed to detect Escherichia coli (E. coli) O104:H4. The antibody specific to E. coli O104:H4 was immobilized on protein A-coated magnetic beads. This protein-A–anti E. coli O104:H4 complex was used to bind Fluorescein IsoThioCyanate (FITC) labeled E. coli O104:H4 antigen (whole cell) on it. The goal was to achieve a fluorescently detectable protein-A–anti E. coli O104:H4–E. coli O104:H4 complex on the magnetic beads. Fluorescent microscopy was used to image the magnetic beads. The resulting fluorescence on the beads was due to the FITC labeled antigen binding on the protein-A–anti E. coli O104:H4 immobilized magnetic beads. This visually proves the antigen–antibody binding. The fluorescent imaging results were obtained in 2 h if the minimum available bacteria in the sample were at least 105 CFU/ml. If no fluorescence was observed on the magnetic beads during fluorescent imaging, it indicates the bacterial concentration in the sample to be too low for it to have bound to the magnetic beads and hence no detection was possible. To detect bacterial concentration less than 105 CFU/ml in the sample, an additional step was required for detection. The magnetic bead complex was added to the LST-MUG (lauryl sulfate tryptose-4-methylumbelliferyl-β- d -glucuronide), a signaling reporter. The E. coli O104:H4 grows in LST-MUG and releases β-glucuronidase enzyme. This enzyme cleaves the MUG substrate that produces 4-methylumbelliferone, a highly fluorescent species. This fluorescence was detected using a spectrofluorometer. The emission peak in the fluorescent spectrum was found to be at 450 nm. The lower and upper detection range for this LST-MUG assay was found to be 2.05 × 105–4.09 × 108 CFU/ml. The results for the LST-MUG assay for concentrations below 105 CFU/ml were ascertained in 8 h. The advantages of this technique include the specific detection of bacteria without an enrichment step and allowing the procedure to be completed in hours rather than days.
IEEE 802.3 Ethernet

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Legacy Ethernet Evolution of the Physical Layer Emergence of Additional Features for Ethernet Questions Problems
Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence 2013

This issue of the AI Magazine features expanded versions of articles that discuss innovative applications from the 2013 AAAI Conference on Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence (IAAI-13).
On the throughput-delay tradeoff in cellular multicast

In this paper, we adopt a cross layer design approach for analyzing the throughput-delay tradeoff of the multicast channel in a single cell system. To illustrate the main ideas, we start with the single group case, i.e., pure multicast, where a common information stream is requested by all the users. We consider three classes of scheduling algorithms with progressively increasing complexity. The first class strives for minimum complexity by resorting to a static scheduling strategy along with memoryless decoding. Our analysis for this class of scheduling algorithms reveals the existence of a static scheduling policy that achieves the optimal scaling law of the throughput at the expense of a delay that increases exponentially with the number of users. The second scheduling policy resorts to a higher complexity incremental redundancy encoding/decoding strategy to achieve a superior throughput-delay tradeoff. The third, and most complex, scheduling strategy benefits from the cooperation between the different users to minimize the delay while achieving the optimal scaling law of the throughput. In particular, the proposed cooperative multicast strategy is shown to simultaneously achieve the optimal scaling laws of both throughput and delay. Then, we generalize our scheduling algorithms to exploit the multi-group diversity available when different information streams are requested by different subsets of the user population. Finally, we discuss the potential gains of equipping the base station with multiple transmit antennas and present simulation results that validate our theoretical claims.
The physical attractiveness of electronic physician notes.

Though notes in electronic medical record systems (EMRs) have advantages, they are often criticized for their unattractive and unprofessional appearance. We sought to identify notes regarded by physicians as attractive and unattractive and the characteristics of both. We sent a sample of 10 notes representing a variety of common note types to a sample of 70 physicians who are either leaders in UW Medicine or randomly selected note authors and asked them to rank the notes by their physical attractivness. We found their rankings were not random, and notes clustered into those considered most, intermediate, and least attractive. Characteristics of each group are presented. We’ll use these results to format EMR notes in a more attractive form—a goal important to our physicians—while preserving important clinical, quality and compliance features that were our original goals in moving to electronic notes.
Beyond Kelly Green Golf Shoes: Evaluating the Demand for Scholarship of Free-Market and Mainstream Economists

We evaluate statistics from the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) to see how much free-market economists are being read and ranked compared with mainstream economists. We find that under various rankings using SSRN data, the top free-market econo- mists rank among the most-read authors in the economics profession.
Health-Related Quality of Life After Stroke A Comprehensive Review

Background and Purpose—We performed a comprehensive review of all quality-of-life (QOL) estimates for stroke appearing in the peer-reviewed literature between 1985 and 2000. We examine variation in...
Could It Be latrogenic Anemia

Although there are several possible explanations for the occurrence of anemia in children with meningitis, Kaplan and Oski1 have neglected iatrogenic blood loss as a contributory cause. For the sake of discussion, assume that a child loses 60 ml of blood in four days, given the list of tests that the authors cite and the fact that the children with Haemophilus tend to be more ill than the other patients. If a 10-kg child has a blood volume of 750 ml, then the Table shows that by day 4 (the hypothetical low point) the red cell volume (hematocrit times blood volume) would have declined by 24 ml.
Silica-based composite fiber amplifier with 1480-1560 nm seamless gain-band

All silica-based fiber amplifier with a cascaded configuration of a 980 nm-pumped EDFA and a gain-shifted TDFA has realized a seamless gain-band over the wavelength region of 1480-1560 nm. A gain over 10 dB and NF under 7.5 dB have been achieved.
A species barrier between bacteriophages T2 and T4: exclusion, join-copy and join-cut-copy recombination and mutagenesis in the dCTPase genes

Bacteriophage T2 alleles are excluded in crosses between T2 and T4 because of genetic isolation between these two virus species. The severity of exclusion varies in different genes, with gene 56, encoding an essential dCT(D)Pase/dUT(D)Pase of these phages, being most strongly affected. To investigate reasons for such strong exclusion, we have (1) sequenced the T2 gene 56 and an adjacent region, (2) compared the sequence with the corresponding T4 DNA, (3) constructed chimeric phages in which T2 and T4 sequences of this region are recombined, and (4) tested complementation, recombination, and exclusion with gene 56 cloned in a plasmid and in the chimeric phages in Escherichia coli CR63, in which growth of wild-type T2 is not restricted by T4. Our results argue against a role of the dCTPase protein in this exclusion and implicate instead DNA sequence differences as major contributors to the apparent species barrier. This sequence divergence exhibits a remarkable pattern: a major heterologous sequence counter-clockwise from gene 56 (and downstream of the gene 56 transcripts) replaces in T2 DNA the T4 gene 69. Gene 56 base sequences bordering this substituted region are significantly different, whereas sequences of the dam genes, adjacent in the clockwise direction, are similar in T2 and in T4. The gene 56 sequence differences can best be explained by multiple compensating frameshifts and base substitutions, which result in T2 and T4 dCTPases whose amino acid sequences and functions remain similar. Based on these findings we propose a model for the evolution of multiple sequence differences concomitant with the substitution of an adjacent gene by foreign DNA: invasion by the single-stranded segments of foreign DNA, nucleated from a short DNA sequence that was complementary by chance, has triggered recombination-dependent replication by "join-copy" and "join-cut-copy" pathways that are known to operate in the T-even phages and are implicated in other organisms as well. This invasion, accompanied by heteroduplex formation between partially similar sequences, and perhaps subsequent partial heteroduplex repair, simultaneously substituted T4 gene 69 for foreign sequences and scrambled the sequence of the dCTPase gene 56. We suggest that similar mechanisms can mobilize DNA segments for horizontal transfer without necessarily requiring transposase or site-specific recombination functions.
Endogenous retroviruses and schizophrenia

Retroviruses are biologically complex infectious agents which are capable of cellular infection and subsequent integration into the host genome. Retroviruses can exist in an endogenous form in which viral sequences are integrated into the human germline and are vertically transmitted in a Mendelian fashion. The transcriptional activation of these viral sequences in cells within the central nervous system can affect the transcriptional regulation of adjacent genes and result in alterations of neural functioning. This report discusses evidence for a possible role of endogenous retroviruses in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia and other human brain diseases. Evidence of endogenous retrovirus activity is manifested by the identification of viral sequences in the brains and cerebrospinal fluids of affected individuals. In addition, affected individuals display evidence of increased activity of virally-encoded reverse transcriptase. The identification of a retroviral component of schizophrenia would be consistent with genetic, environmental, and neurodevelopmental aspects of the disease process. The delineation of a role for retroviruses in disease pathogenesis might lead to new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.
The effect of endotoxin tolerance on some serum constitutents of cows

Abstract The serum levels of total protein, total iron-binding capacity and copper increased significantly in cows as a result of injections of E. coli endotoxin whereas the level of urea-N decreased. Magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium and inorganic phosphate showed no significant change. The increase in total protein was investigated by Sephadex G200 gel filtration studies, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and single radial immunodiffusion assays. IgG increased by 22 per cent, IgM by 30 per cent and total transferrin by 74 per cent, whereas IgA decreased by 25 per cent. Other proteins (α- and β-globulins) increased in the serum. The increased immunoglobulin levels were partly due to the formation of antibody to endotoxin; this antibody could be removed by adsorption with endotoxin. Non-specific immunoglobulins were formed also; the examination of absorbed sera showed them to be mainly of the IgG class.
The Fine Structure of the Nuclear Ground Level of Li 7

Calculations of the fine structure of the ground level of the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ nucleus are made with the object of throwing light on the form of the interaction energy between pairs of nuclear particles. The requirements of relativistic covariance do not determine the spin-orbit interactions uniquely. Adjustable parameters, which are essentially coefficients of invariant additions to the Hamiltonian, are not fixed by considerations of covariance. The calculations reported show how, with approximate assumptions about the wave function, these parameters should be chosen in order to obtain agreement with the observed fine structure. A general rule simplifying the calculation of the spin-orbit interaction with a closed shell is developed for interactions between pairs of particles. The results are sensitive to the wave function used. The assumption of approximate symmetry of the nuclear Hamiltonian leads to an approximately symmetric coordinate function which is a linear combination of $^{1}S$ and $^{1}D$ states of the two neutrons in the $p$ shell. For this function relatively large values of the adjustable parameters (\ensuremath{\sim}3) are needed. If, however, the $^{1}S$ state is supposed to be the predominant one, values of the parameters \ensuremath{\sim}1 suffice. Present evidence favors the symmetric function and, therefore, the larger values of the parameters. These values do not correspond, even approximately, to the picture of a nuclear particle moving in a scalar field. An additional interaction having the transformation properties of an electromagnetic field is needed to obtain them. The sensitivity of the fine structure to perturbations suggests caution regarding the quantitative side of the calculations. Only qualitative significance can be attached to them.
"ROS-generating mitochondrial DNA mutations can regulate tumor cell metastasis"--a critical commentary.

In a recent publication (K. Ishikawa et al., 2008, Science 320, 661–664), the authors described how replacing the endogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in a weakly metastatic mouse tumor cell line with mtDNA from a highly metastatic cell line enhanced tumor progression through enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The authors attributed the transformation from a low-metastatic cell line to a high-metastatic phenotype to overproduction of ROS (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide) caused by a dysfunction in mitochondrial complex I protein encoded by mtDNA transferred from the highly metastatic tumor cell line. In this critical evaluation, using the paper by Ishikawa et al. as an example, we bring to the attention of researchers in the free radical field how the failure to appreciate the complexities of dye chemistry could potentially lead to pitfalls, misinterpretations, and erroneous conclusions concerning ROS involvement. Herein we make a case that the authors have failed to show evidence for formation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, presumed to be generated from complex I deficiency associated with mtDNA mutations in metastatic cells.
Utilization of propagating stall in a cascade of vanes

Joseph V.Foa* The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. cascade of vanes may be used to advantage in the generation of the laterally moving jets of cryptosteady-flow thrust augmenters' and energy separators. To this end, the primary fluid would be made to issue into the interaction space through a cascade in which propagating stall would be promoted, rather than inhibited, through appropriate design. If the vanes are so sharp-edged that their stalling angle is very low and so closely spaced that the flow is substantially stopped in the stalled passages, the fluid issuing through the unstalled passages will form a pattern similar to that of jets issuing through laterally moving orifices.
Amplitude-integrated EEG in newborns with critical congenital heart disease predicts preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Abstract Objective The study aims are to evaluate cerebral background patterns using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in newborns with critical congenital heart disease, determine if amplitude-integrated electroencephalography is predictive of preoperative brain injury, and assess the incidence of preoperative seizures. We hypothesize that amplitude-integrated electroencephalography will show abnormal background patterns in the early preoperative period in infants with congenital heart disease that have preoperative brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging. Methods Twenty-four newborns with congenital heart disease requiring surgery at younger than 30 days of age were prospectively enrolled within the first 3 days of age at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Infants had amplitude-integrated electroencephalography for 24 hours beginning close to birth and preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging. The amplitude-integrated electroencephalographies were read to determine if the background pattern was normal, mildly abnormal, or severely abnormal. The presence of seizures and sleep-wake cycling were noted. The preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were used for brain injury and brain atrophy assessment. Results Fifteen of 24 infants had abnormal amplitude-integrated electroencephalography at 0.71 (0-2) (mean [range]) days of age. In five infants, the background pattern was severely abnormal. (burst suppression and/or continuous low voltage). Of the 15 infants with abnormal amplitude-integrated electroencephalography, 9 (60%) had brain injury. One infant with brain injury had a seizure on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography. A severely abnormal background pattern on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography was associated with brain atrophy ( P = 0.03) and absent sleep-wake cycling ( P = 0.022). Conclusion Background cerebral activity is abnormal on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography following birth in newborns with congenital heart disease who have findings of brain injury and/or brain atrophy on preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging.
The effect of temperature on the agglutinability by lectins of liposomes prepared from total lipids of erythrocytes

Abstract Multilamellar liposomes prepared from total lipids of red blood cells are agglutinable by the addition of soybean lectin. At 5 °C the rate of agglutination is significantly slower than at 37 °C, in contrast to erythrocyte ghosts and ghosts sonicated to 1 μ vesicles. The slower lateral mobilities of the lectin glycolipid receptor in the lipid liposomes due to increased microviscosity of the bilayer at the lower temperature, might be one explanation of our agglutination results. However, the opposite temperature dependence seen with ghosts argues for a possible protein modulation of the agglutination reaction.
Variability of aerosols in the tropical Atlantic Ocean relative to African Easterly Waves and their relationship with atmospheric and oceanic environments

[1] It is well known that aerosols impact climate directly through modifying the radiation budget and indirectly through the modification of cloud processes. Yet, in spite of an improved understanding of the various roles that aerosols play in climate, there still exists uncertainty in their spatial and temporal distributions and their relationship to atmospheric dynamic. Here, we use the Aerosol Index from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer and Aerosol Optical Depth from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, in conjunction with atmospheric and oceanic satellite observations and reanalysis data sets to investigate aerosol-environment relationships and interactions over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Spectral and composite analyses of surface temperature, atmospheric wind, geopotential height, outgoing longwave radiation and precipitation, together with the climatology of aerosols, provide insight on how the variables interact. Different modes of variability, especially on intraseasonal time scales, appear as strong modulators of the aerosol distribution. In particular, we investigate how two modes of variability related to westward propagating African Easterly Waves affect the horizontal and vertical structure of the environment and thus the aerosol distribution. The pattern of propagation of aerosol load shows a strong correspondence with the progression of the atmospheric and oceanic synoptic conditions that have mobilized dust over the African continent and advect it over the Atlantic Ocean. We extend previous studies related with dust variability over the Atlantic region by evaluating the performance of the long period satellite aerosol retrievals in determining modes of aerosol variability. Results of this work are described as useful in allowing a more precise understanding of the response of the energy budget, precipitation and atmospheric circulation to changes in aerosol loading.
The ultrastructure of ameloblasts from the growing end of rat incisors

Abstract Ameloblasts from the growing end of rat incisors were examined with the electron microscope. They exhibit marked polarity with the nucleus at the basal end of the cell. Mitochondria are proximal to the nucleus. Just distal to the nucleus is a well defined Golgi apparatus. Rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and granules fill the remainder of the cytoplasm. Some 150 A particles are independently present in the cytoplasm. The cells are close to each other with a minimum of extracellular space. Terminal bars are present at the junction of the ameloblasts with Tomes' process. Each cell contributes a cell membrane and opaque cytoplasm to the terminal bar. At least two components are seen in enamel matrix: small rodlets 60 A wide and up to 1000 A long, and a more extensive amorphous material. Ameloblasts from a more incisal location are separated by a large extracellular space into which microvilli project. In the most incisal region examined, small granules measuring 70 A are found in the ameloblasts and the cells are connected by desmosomes.
On secret key generation from finite source observations

All existing secret key generation schemes assume that the users have access to infinite number of source observations. Motivated by applications in wireless networks, we consider the problem of generating secret keys from a finite number of correlated observations under the source model. We investigate the relationship among the achievable secret key rate, the decoding error probability, and the number of observations. Based on the connection between secret key generation and distributed source coding problems, we present two key generation schemes. In the first scheme, length of the generated key varies depending on the the realization of the source sequence, and the generated key is conditionally perfectly secure. We characterize the penalty, due to the finiteness of the number of observations, in the key rate compared to that of the scheme with infinite number of observations. In the second scheme, length of the generated key is fixed, and the key is unconditionally perfectly secure. We characterize the additional penalty associated with these additional features in the achievable key rate.
Beyond Near Duplicates: Learning Hash Codes for Efficient Similar-Image Retrieval

Finding similar images in a large database is an important, but often computationally expensive, task. In this paper, we present a two-tier similar-image retrieval system with the efficiency characteristics found in simpler systems designed to recognize near-duplicates. We compare the efficiency of lookups based on random projections and learned hashes to 100-times-more-frequent exemplar sampling. Both approaches significantly improve on the results from exemplar sampling, despite having significantly lower computational costs. Learned-hash keys provide the best result, in terms of both recall and efficiency.
Sunflower Seed Midge: Effects of Larval Infestation on Pericarp Development in Sunflower

Helianthus annum L. seeds infested by larvae of the sunflower seed midge, Neolasioptera helianthi (= murtfeldtiana) (Felt), develop an abnormally colored and soft pericarp. Larvae are accompanied by an unidentified fungus in infested seeds. Normal-appearing seeds are dark, hard, and contain neither larvae nor fungus. It appears that successful infestation of seeds by the sunflower seed midge depends upon the accompanying fungus infection. Microscopic observations indicate that midge larval penetration and fungal infection of seeds occur at an early stage of differentiation and maturation of the pericarp. Seeds harboring larvae and fungi experience <50% reduction in sclerification of the sclerenchyma and incomplete filling of hypodermal cells. Also, the inner pericarp wall of infested-infected seeds are penetrated by fungal mycelium, where hyphae obliterate phloem cells in the vascular bundles.
The polymerase chain reaction: Applications for the detection of foodborne pathogens

Faster methods for the detection of foodborne microbial pathogens are needed. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can amplify specific segments of DNA and is used to detect and identify bacterial genes responsible for causing diseases in humans. The major features and requirements for the PCR are described along with a number of important variations. A considerable number of PCR-based assays have been developed, but they have been applied most often to clinical and environmental samples and more rarely for the detection of foodborne microorganisms. Much of the difficulty in implementing PCR for the analysis of food samples lies in the problems encountered during the preparation of template DNAs from food matrices; a variety of approaches and considerations are examined. PCR methods developed for the detection and identification of particular bacteria, viruses, and parasites found in foods are described and discussed, and the major features of these reactions are summarized.
Thermal Broadening of the Mössbauer Line and of Narrow-Line Electronic Spectra in Solids

The dependence of the lattice vibration Hamiltonian upon the excitation state of an electron or nucleus is examined as a possible source of thermal broadening of narrow-line electronic spectra or M\"ossbauer spectra in solids. A simple model is proposed to illustrate this mechanism and calculational techniques described to determine the line width appropriate to that model. Application to the M\"ossbauer problem shows the absence of any observable thermal broadening except in the case of localized modes. The mechanism is consistent with the observed thermal broadening of the narrow lines of ruby, but that specific problem appears to be too complex to permit a detailed test of the theory.
A RAPID SLIDE PLAQUE TECHNIC FOR BACTERIOPHAGE ASSAY

1. A modified rapid plaque-counting procedure is described, whereby staphylococcal phage host-cell suspensions in agar are spread over constant areas on glass slides and are incubated in moist chambers. 2. Statistical analysis indicated a precision of +/-8.2 for means of sets of eight slides incubated at 37 degrees C. and +/-7.6 for means of sets of eight incubated at 28 degrees C. 3. With the staphylococcus system, a temperature of 28 degrees C. yielded significantly higher counts than at 37 degrees C. 4. Counts made after 4 hours may be used as an estimate of the final plaque count bearing in mind the fact that the yield at this time is significantly less than at 24 hours. 5. The data presented compared favorably with the results obtained by the plate method used by Hershey, and suggest that a greater precision may be obtained by this method-at least for the staph. K phage system.
RFID tag readability issues with palletized loads of consumer goods

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an automatic identification technology, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags. This technology is being used in enterprise supply chain management-related applications to improve the efficiency of inventory tracking and management. However, this technology has not been able to realize its promised potential because of several factors, such as lack of congruous worldwide standards, privacy issues and less than perfect read rates in supply chain applications. This research aimed to evaluate the readability issues commonly faced by tagged cases of palletized consumer products. The variables studied in this research were product-package type, tag type, tag location on cases, pallet pattern and forklift speed through a RFID portal representative of a dock door in a warehouse. To determine which variables were the most significant, a binary logistic regression was run. The number of tags read was inputted for the number of events and total number of products per pallet as the number of trials. The variables product content, pallet pattern, and speed, and all interactions were then included in the model. It was observed that readability greatly varies for different product-package systems, with paper towels producing near-perfect reads, followed by bottled water and carbonated soda cans. The slower the forklift truck speed, the better the readability across the board, and the best pallet patterns were dependent on the product-package type. For bottled water, the best pallet pattern was column, and for carbonated soda, the interlocking pattern. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solution Structure of Human Initiation Factor eIF2α Reveals Homology to the Elongation Factor eEF1B

Abstract The GTP-bound form of the trimeric eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2) transfers aminoacylated initiator methionyl tRNA onto the 40S ribosome. We have solved with solution NMR the structure of the α subunit of human eIF2 (heIF2α). The protein consists of two domains that are mobile relative to each other. The N-terminal domain has an S1-type oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding-fold subdomain and an α-helical subdomain. The C-terminal domain adopts an αβ-fold very similar to the C-terminal domain of elongation factor (eEF) 1Bα, the guanine-nucleotide exchange factor for eEF1A. The structural and functional similarities found between eIF2α/eIF2γ and eEF1Bα/eEF1A suggest a model for the interaction of eIF2α with eIF2γ, and eIF2 with Met-tRNA i Met . It further indicates a previously unrecognized evolutionary lineage of eIF2α/γ from the functionally related elongation factor eEF1Bα/eEF1A complex.
Ferrichrome biosynthesis: enzyme catalyzed formation of the hydroxamic acid group.

Abstract A new enzyme, δ- N -hydroxyornithine: acetyl CoA δ- N -transacetylase, was partially purified from Ustilago sphaerogena . The product of the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme is a hydroxamic acid derivative of ornithine, δ- N -acetyl-δ- N -hydroxyornithine, a precursor of the peptide hydroxamate, ferrichrome. Differential centrifugation and ammonium sulfate precipitation provided a 10–15 fold purification, but further purification was hampered by the extreme lability of the enzyme. The enzyme showed a maximum activity at pH 7 and is quite specific for δ- N -hydroxyornithine as the hydroxylamino substrate, although ϵ- N -hydroxylysine is also a good substrate. Neither hydroxylamine itself nor ornithine is acetylated by the enzyme in the presence of acetyl CoA. Michaelis constants of 3.2 × 10 −4 m and 2.2 × 10 −4 m were found for δ- N -hydroxyornithine and acetyl CoA, respectively. The enzyme is not inhibited by the iron chelates, ferrichrome, ferrichrome A, or heme at concentrations sufficient to suppress ferrichrome synthesis in vivo . The amount of enzyme obtained from different cultures of U. sphaerogena showed a direct correlation with the rate of in vivo desferriferrichrome synthesis by the cells measured at the time of harvesting. This observation, as well as the substrate specificity, is evidence that this enzyme is involved in desferriferrichrome synthesis in vivo .
Correlates of use of long-acting reversible methods of contraception among adolescent and young adult women.

Abstract Background Most pregnancies among adolescent and young adult women are unintended, and adolescent birth rates have risen. Use of long-acting reversible contraception may be an effective strategy to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy. Study Design We conducted a secondary data analysis of nationally representative, cross-sectional data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. Our sample included 1722 sexually active women aged 15–24 years. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify correlates of ever-use of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) or the intrauterine device (IUD). Results One-quarter of our sample had ever used DMPA, and less than 2% had ever used the IUD. In multivariable analysis, increasing parity was associated with ever-use of DMPA (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.55–2.77) and ever-use of the IUD (OR 4.57, 95% CI 1.60–13.03), but age and measures of socioeconomic status were not. Having ever been married (OR 5.54, 95% CI 1.23–24.82) and current cohabitation (OR 4.89, 95% CI 1.10–21.71) were associated with ever-use of the IUD. A history of an adolescent pregnancy was associated with ever-use of DMPA (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.19–2.70) but not of the IUD. Conclusions While similarities exist between the correlates of use of DMPA and the IUD, we discovered important differences, some of which may reflect provider biases regarding IUD provision.
Owning Russia: The Struggle over Factories, Farms, and Power. Andrew Scott Barnes

(2007). Owning Russia: The Struggle over Factories, Farms, and Power. Andrew Scott Barnes. Eurasian Geography and Economics: Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 121-124.
Common cytogenetic findings in gastric cancer

Cytogenetic analysis was performed in five cases of intestinal type gastric carcinoma. Three cases were near-diploid and two others were near-triploid. The chromosomes involved were: #9 (four cases), #8 (three cases), #1, and #7 (two cases each). The nonrandom chromosomal abnormalities included aberrations of chromosome #9 as trisomy or i(9q) or 9p+ marker chromosome and excess of 8q material (i.e., trisomy or i(8q) chromosome). Our results indicate that abnormalities of chromosome #9 are a common feature in a subgroup of intestinal type gastric cancers and that there are common cytogenetic abnormalities in gastric and large bowel cancer.
Antihypertensive effectiveness of low-dose lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide combination. A large multicenter study. Lisinopril-Hydrochlorothiazide Group.

OBJECTIVE To test the antihypertensive and metabolic effects of lisinopril, 10 mg/d (L); hydrochlorothiazide, 12.5 and 25 mg/d (H12.5 and H25); and its combination with lisinopril (L/H12.5 and L/H25) against placebo in patients with mild to moderate (stage I and stage II) hypertension. DESIGN Multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient study of 12 weeks' duration. PATIENTS After 4 weeks of single-blind placebo treatment, 505 patients whose sitting diastolic blood pressure was 100 to 114 mm Hg were randomized into the study--467 patients completed it (placebo, 71; L, 80; H12.5, 79; H25, 77; L/H12.5, 79; and L/H25, 81). The patients were seen in the clinic every 2 weeks, where measurements of their sitting and upright blood pressure and heart rate were taken 24 +/- 2 hours after drug administration. Complete blood cell counts with differential cell counts, blood chemistry studies, urinalyses, and electrocardiograms were done at baseline and during the study. Roentgenograms were done once at baseline. RESULTS Compared with placebo, all drug regimens decreased sitting and upright blood pressure (P < .001) and had no effect on sitting and upright heart rate. The greatest effect was obtained with the combinations of L/H12.5 and L/H25. There was no difference between L/H12.5 and L/H25 or between H12.5 and H25. There were no serious clinical side effects except cough, which was slightly higher with L, L/H12.5, and L/H25. The only metabolic side effects were in serum potassium level, which was lower with H25 (P < .01), and serum glucose level, which was higher with H25 and L/H25 (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that (1) monotherapy of hypertension with L, H12.5, H25, L/H12.5, and L/H25 was effective and well tolerated; (2) the best results were achieved with L/H12.5 and L/H25; (3) lower doses of hydrochlorothiazide either alone or in combination with lisinopril were equipotent with higher doses and were free of metabolic side effects.
Diagnostic Imaging of Myomas

As treatment options become less invasive and more sophisticated it is imperative that benign myomas be distinguished from potential malignant conditions without falter. The radiologic-pathologic correlations have been integral to our ability to characterize and to localize uterine leiomyomas with accuracy. TVUS remains the standard assessment tool. Its usefulness may be enhanced by SHG or transabdominal ultrasound in certain circumstances; however, it falls short in its ability to map multiple myomas or those in large volume uteri. MRI has become ultrasound's complement and far exceeds ultrasound's technical limitations in precise fibroid mapping and characterization.