cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A double-blind randomized pilot study comparing quetiapine and divalproex for adolescent mania

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the comparative efficacy of quetiapine and divalproex for the treatment of adolescent mania. Method Fifty adolescents (ages 12-18 years) with bipolar I disorder, manic or mixed episode, were randomized to quetiapine (400-600 mg/day) or divalproex (serum level 80-120 μg/mL) for 28 days for this double-blind study, which was conducted from July 2002 through January 2004. The primary efficacy measure was change in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score across the study period. Results Repeated measures analysis of variance using the last-observation carried forward data indicated no statistically significant group difference in YMRS scores across the 28 days of the study (p = 0.3). Mixed regression analyses (comparison of slopes) revealed that improvement in YMRS scores occurred more rapidly in the quetiapine than in the divalproex group for both the last-observation carried forward (p = 0.01) and observed data (p = 0.03). Response and remission rates were significantly greater in the quetiapine than in the divalproex group (p Conclusions The results suggest that quetiapine is at least as effective as divalproex in the treatment of acute manic symptoms associated with adolescent bipolar disorder; however, a quicker reduction of manic symptoms may occur with quetiapine as compared with divalproex. Quetiapine may be useful as monotherapy for the treatment of adolescents with manic or mixed episodes, although placebo-controlled studies are necessary.
Medical education and computer literacy: learning about, through, and with computers.

The call for medical students to become literate in the uses of information technology has become a familiar refrain. Over ten years ago, the Association of American Medical College's GPEP Report recommended that medical schools incorporate into their curricula training in the use of such technology; however, in the intervening decade, discouragingly little progress has been made toward meeting this goal, even though the need for such changes has grown more compelling. The author contends that teaching medical students to be computer-literate will not only enable them to use information technology competently, but will foster their capacity for "termless learning," which involves the ability to assess the adequacy of one's knowledge, to efficiently redress identified deficiencies, and to direct one's ongoing learning well in a rapidly changing world. He contends that by exposing medical students early in their training to the vast profusion of electronic information resources, medical educators can help produce a generation of practitioners who have a different orientation toward knowledge and learning. The author then assesses three different approaches to computer-literacy training: learning about computers, learning through computers (i.e., using computers as tools for instructional delivery), and learning with computers (i.e., requiring students to use computers in their work on a day-to-day basis). He concludes that none of the approaches is sufficient unto itself, but learning with computers offers the most powerful means of fostering the forms of termless learning that students will need to practice medicine in the future.
ON MISSING ENTRIES IN CLADISTIC ANALYSIS

The exact algorithms of two commonly used parsimony programs, Hennig86 by J. S. Farris and PAUP by D. Swofford, sometimes produce different solutions, and sometimes produce resolutions that are not supported by the data being analysed. The discrepancies apparently involve the treatment of missing entries, which can currently represent unknown data, inapplicable character and/or polymorphic taxa. Each of those potential sources of ambiguity is logically (if not computationally) different; with regard to binary characters, unknown data could be either 0 or 1, inapplicable characters are neither 0 nor 1 and polymorphisms are both 0 and 1. Resolutions that cannot be supported by any possible combination of known state attributions should either be flagged as such or suppressed entirely.
Nonlinear response of a mesoscopic system

Abstract The response of a mesoscopic Sb film to microwave radiation has been studied. We have found that the system acts as a rectifier; i.e., a do current, Idc, is produced when the sample is irradiated with a microwave field. Results for the dependence of Idc on microwave power, temperature, and magnetic field are presented, and shown to be in good agreement with the theory of Fal'ko and Khmel'nitskii.
INCORPORATION OF THE CLINICAL NURSE LEADER IN PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE

A case study was conducted to examine the appropriateness of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) role and its use within the Alabama Department of Public Health. The role of the CNL to provide leadership within the public health environment is examined. Using the aspects of the CNL training toward improvement of patient outcomes and prevention of errors through coordination was the key outcome of the case study. The role of the CNL was used to provide evaluation while promoting progress and improvement of planning efforts with the performance improvement planning microsystem. The article will discuss and evaluate various functions of the CNL role as it is adapted to the public health environment. The CNL role, as described in the case study furthermore, may be implemented in a wide variety of similar situations through the nation's health settings.
Understanding EUV mask blank surface roughness induced LWR and associated roughness requirement

Extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) mask multi-layer (ML) blank surface roughness specification historically comes from blank defect inspection tool requirement. Later, new concerns on ML surface roughness induced wafer pattern line width roughness (LWR) arise. In this paper, we have studied wafer level pattern LWR as a function of EUVL mask surface roughness via High-NA Actinic Reticle Review Tool. We found that the blank surface roughness induced LWR at current blank roughness level is in the order of 0.5nm 3σ for NA=0.42 at the best focus. At defocus of ±40nm, the corresponding LWR will be 0.2nm higher. Further reducing EUVL mask blank surface roughness will increase the blank cost with limited benefit in improving the pattern LWR, provided that the intrinsic resist LWR is in the order of 1nm and above.
Influence of moisture absorption on flexural properties of syntactic foams

Abstract This work studies the influence of moisture absorption on the flexural properties of vinyl ester matrix–glass particle syntactic foams. The extent and the effect of moisture absorption are related to the wall thickness and volume fraction of the particles present in the composite. Four compositions of vinyl ester–glass systems are exposed to deionized and sea water conditions. Experimental findings are compared with results on virgin specimens. In general, the exposure of syntactic foams to a water environment yields a deterioration of Young’s modulus. This phenomenon is more prominent with deionized water as compared to sea water and increases with the particle volume fraction. In addition, results from water absorption tests show that syntactic foams have a lower diffusivity as compared to the neat resin. Experimental data are interpreted by using available modeling tools that allow for predicting the composite behavior from the properties of its constituents.
What Determines Homeland Security Spending? An Econometric Analysis of the Homeland Security Grant Program

The distribution of State Homeland Security Grants has been characterized as pork barrel spending, where political considerations and not terrorism risk are determining the allocation each state receives. Using revealed preference analysis, we test this claim. From 2004 to 2006, measures of terrorism risk are found to be positive determinants of funding while measures of political influence and party affiliation of elected officials show no positive relationship with grant funding. These results are not compatible with the assertion that funding is distributed due to political factors.
Absence of a correlation between mitochondrial complementation and root weight heterosis in sugarbeets

Oxidative phosphorylation of sugarbeet root mitochondria isolated from 11 hybrids and their parental inbreds, and of mixtures of mitochondria from the parental inbreds, were measured at four different sampling stages, (Aug. 1–7, Sept. 1–7, roots stored at 5°C, and regrowth of stored roots). Mitochondrial complementation (the increased efficiency or ADP:0 ratio of mixtures of inbred mitochondria) was calculated for each hybrid at each stage. When beets were growing rapidly (Aug. 1–7) it was small but at the other stages it was absent. Only at the Aug. 1–7 sampling stage was there a significant correlation (0.75) between mitochondrial complementation and root weight heterosis. The small complementation effects made it difficult to detect differences in complementation, and thus difficult to predict root yield heterosis. Thus, this technique is not recommended as a tool in sugarbeet breeding.
Light-Mediated Activation of Rac-1 in Photoreceptor Outer Segments

Abstract Small GTP binding proteins regulate diverse biological processes including gene expression, cytoskeleton reorganization, and protein and vesicular transport [1–4]. While small GTPases have been investigated in a wide variety of cells, few studies have addressed their role in photoreceptors. In vertebrate retinal rods, the light stimulus is transmitted from rhodopsin via the pathway mediated by the heterotrimeric G protein transducin [5–7]. To increase their sensitivity to light, photoreceptors accumulate remarkably high concentrations of rhodopsin and transducin in specialized cellular compartments, the outer segments (OS). Transport of these proteins from the inner segments is regulated by the small GTPases Rab6 and Rab8, which do not enter OS [8–10]. Here, we asked if small G proteins have other functions in photoreceptors. We show that OS contain the small GTPase Rac-1, a member of the Rho family. In contrast to other cells, Rac-1 in OS is exclusively associated with the membranes and resides in lipid rafts. Most importantly, Rac-1 is activated by light. This activation is specifically blocked by a synthetic peptide corresponding to the Asn-Pro-X-X-Tyr motif found in rhodopsin, and Rac-1 coprecipitates with rhodopsin on Concanavalin A Sepharose. These data provide the first direct evidence for the existence of a novel pathway activated by rhodopsin.
Risk and human performance: Measuring the potential for disaster

Abstract This paper begins the process of developing a new framework to assess the potential for disaster in some technical installations. The approach starts with the results of studies of actual cases of disaster and near disaster and then works backwards to identify the contributing factors. This first step extracts generic properties of disasters which are common across specific incidents (e.g., latent failures, triggering events, complicating factors, human performance). The second step is to identify the kinds of evidence that assess the degree to which these general properties are present in a particular industry or technical installation. Adopting this point of view reveals the outlines of a new framework that goes beyond conventional probabilistic risk assessment techniques, that includes human behavior as a crucial link, and that includes the effects of changes in the person-machine system. The demand-resource view of human error forms the basis of the framework for measuring the potential for disaster. The presence of latent failures and the rate of initiating events jointly determine the problem-to-be- including various complicating factors (the problem demands). The problem solving resources determine the quality of human performance in handling the demands posed by the unfolding incident. These resources are determined by factors that relate to the design of the operational system as a problem solving system and include the available pre-planned guidance and the system for adapting pre-planned guidance to handle complicating factors.
Factors influencing reverse osmosis rejection of inorganic solutes from aqueous solution

Abstract Reverse osmosis (RO) rejection is strongly influenced by the distribution of solute between the membrane and solvent phases. For this reason, we examined the partition coefficients of inorganic compounds between water and cellulose acetate (CA) membranes. Cation and anion partition coefficients were determined by independent analyses. Effects of fixed (negative) membrane charges on CA are clearly apparent at low solute concentrations. The mean cation/anion partition coefficients decrease with the product of the cation and anion valence, and increase with increasing ionic size. Un-ionized inorganic compounds, HgC1 2 and HAuC1 4 , are strongly sorbed by CA membranes. All of these observations are consistent with electrostatic theory. Experimental membrane/water partition coefficients are influenced by temperature, pH, and ion-pairing. CA membranes exhibit swelling and shrinkage when exposed to certain aqueous solutions. Swelling and shrinkage influence solute partition and diffusion coefficients, the water content of the membranes, and their RO rejection. The present results provide a comprehensive experimental basis for understanding the mechanism of RO rejection by CA membranes. Moreover, these results can be used to predict RO behavior under a wide variety of experimental conditions. The potential use of reverse osmosis in a variety of wastewater applications is considered in some detail.
MR imaging guidance for minimally invasive procedures

Image guidance is one of the major challenges common to all minimally invasive procedures including biopsy, thermal ablation, endoscopy, and laparoscopy. This is essential for (1) identifying the target lesion, (2) planning the minimally invasive approach, and (3) monitoring the therapy as it progresses. MRI is an ideal imaging modality for this purpose, providing high soft tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging, capability with no ionizing radiation. An interventional/surgical MRI suite has been developed at Brigham and Women's Hospital which provides multiplanar imaging guidance during surgery, biopsy, and thermal ablation procedures. The 0.5T MRI system (General Electric Signa SP) features open vertical access, allowing intraoperative imaging to be performed. An integrated navigational system permits near real-time control of imaging planes, and provides interactive guidance for positioning various diagnostic and therapeutic probes. MR imaging can also be used to monitor cryotherapy as well as high temperature thermal ablation procedures sing RF, laser, microwave, or focused ultrasound. Design features of the interventional MRI system will be discussed, and techniques will be described for interactive image acquisition and tracking of interventional instruments. Applications for interactive and near-real-time imaging will be presented as well as examples of specific procedures performed using MRI guidance.
Spatially Distributed Sensible Heat Flux over a Semiarid Watershed. Part I: Use of Radiometric Surface Temperatures and a Spatially Uniform Resistance

Abstract Spatially distributed radiometric surface temperatures over a semiarid watershed were computed using remotely sensed data acquired with an aircraft-based multispectral scanner during the Monsoon ’90 Large Scale Field Experiment. The multispectral scanner data provide watershed coverage of surface temperature at a resolution of 6.3 m and nearly daily temporal resolution. At high spatial resolution, the surface temperature values appear to be correlated strongly with surface aspect; at more coarse spatial resolution, the surface temperatures variations across the watershed appear to be correlated with background soil moisture variations caused by highly localized precipitation events. The surface temperature data were aggregated to 400-m spatial resolution for the purpose of computing spatially distributed sensible heat fluxes over the watershed. The practicality of using a spatially uniform transfer coefficient was evaluated by examining the variability of surface and meteorological factors across...
Evaluation of Allele-Specific Somatic Changes of Genome-Wide Association Study Susceptibility Alleles in Human Colorectal Cancers

Background Tumors frequently exhibit loss of tumor suppressor genes or allelic gains of activated oncogenes. A significant proportion of cancer susceptibility loci in the mouse show somatic losses or gains consistent with the presence of a tumor susceptibility or resistance allele. Thus, allele-specific somatic gains or losses at loci may demarcate the presence of resistance or susceptibility alleles. The goal of this study was to determine if previously mapped susceptibility loci for colorectal cancer show evidence of allele-specific somatic events in colon tumors.
Calculating dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities relevant to surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Abstract We have used ab initio electronic structure calculations to calculate the frequency dependent dipole–dipole polarizability ( α ), quadrupole–dipole polarizability ( A ), quadrupole–quadrupole polarizability ( C ), (electric) dipole–magnetic dipole polarizability ( G ), and their normal coordinate derivatives for CO. The polarizability derivatives are of relevance to the interpretation of surface enhanced Raman (SER) spectra. Basis set convergence of these spectroscopic properties is studied, along with the effect of including electron correlation at the second-order polarization propagator (SOPPA) level, and the variation of the results with excitation frequency. The largest basis set SOPPA results that we have generated appear to be converged to within 20% or better for most of the properties we have studied, however in a few cases the convergence is much poorer. The most difficult property to converge involves the off-diagonal component of the derivatives of the quadrupole–dipole polarizability tensor. Our results show that the ratio of the largest components of A to the largest components of α are on the order of one atomic unit in size, and a similar statement can be made concerning the corresponding ratios of the normal coordinate derivatives. This means that the ratio of field derivatives to field strengths will also have to be on the order of one atomic unit in order for A and C to contribute comparably to α in determining SERS intensities.
Anderson--McMillan prescription for the density of states of liquid iron

An intensive numerical investigation reveals a gross error in the density of states reported in 1967 by Anderson and McMillan. Whereas they obtained a broad double-peaked resonance that appeared sufficiently reasonable to justify their prescription, correct evaluation of their formula yields a single structureless resonance far too narrow to be representative of a transition-metal $d$ band. This conclusion is verified by algebraically reducing their expression for the density of states to a form that is easily evaluated by hand. Anderson and McMillan also err in claiming that their dispersion relation leads to a vanishing wave number at resonance. The zero wave number is on an extraneous branch and would have led to a nonintegrable singularity in their density of states. Evidently the Anderson-McMillan prescription is inadequate as a description of the effects of $s\ensuremath{-}d$ hybridization on the density of states of transition metals.
The effect of low pressures on the mortality of six stored-product insect species

Abstract The effect of low pressure (10–12 mm to 16–20 mm mercury) on the mortality of six species of common stored-product insects was examined in steel containers of 20 l. capacity filled with grain, which were held under low pressure for periods of 1–7 hr and 1–5 days at temperatures of 18±1°C and 25±1°C. The susceptibility of adults and larvae of the species tested to the above treatment is given below: the most susceptible to low pressure were, Ephestia cautella (Wlk.) adults, followed by Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) adults, Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) adults, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) adults, T. castaneum (Hbst.) larvae, Trogoderma granarium Everts larvae, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) adults, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) larvae, S. oryzae (L.) larvae. In all species, 100 per cent mortality of both larvae and adults was obtained after 120 hr, except in the case of C. maculatus (F.) larvae and S. oryzae (L.) larvae. The results so far obtained indicate the possibility of using low pressure for the control of stored-product insects in grain, in particular where infestation is caused by the more susceptible insects to the above treatment.
F. William Sunderman MD, PhD (1898–2003)

F. William Sunderman,⇓ who has died at the age of 104, was a physician and scientist who pioneered proficiency testing and quality assurance in the clinical laboratory. He was born in Altoona, PA on October 23, 1898, and received a BS at Gettysburg College in 1919, followed by his MD (1923), MS (1927), and PhD (physical chemistry; 1929) at the University of Pennsylvania. He was board certified in pathology, internal medicine, and clinical chemistry. He served in the US military in World War I. At the end of World War II, he returned from his responsibilities as a medical consultant to the Manhattan Project to assume his position as Director of the Section of Clinical Chemistry of the Pepper Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. Along with colleagues in Philadelphia, he initiated discussions of mutual problems regarding discrepant analytical results from split clinical specimens. This small group of pioneers petitioned the Pennsylvania State Medical Society to organize a Clinical Pathology Section, a request that was approved, leading to the distribution of unknown serum specimens among the members and subsequent evaluation of the results. Dr. Sunderman volunteered his laboratory to serve as the central agency to prepare and distribute these materials to directors of hospital laboratories, with the request that the results be returned anonymously. The results of this survey were stated by Dr. Sunderman to be “appalling” (1)(2) and were published as a landmark paper on proficiency testing (3). Gradually it became an accepted practice to incorporate proficiency testing as a foundation on which to maintain high standards of clinical laboratory work. No concerted efforts were forthcoming, however, until 1949, when the Virginia Pathology Society requested that Dr. Sunderman start a monthly proficiency test service for their group. Soon afterward, Alabama and Indiana asked to participate, and …
Scaling Laws Governing Growth and Division of Single Bacterial Cells

Are there simple quantitative relationships that govern the behaviors of whole organisms? If so, what form do they take? To address these questions, we study growth and division of Caulobacter crescentus, a paradigm for polar cell development and cell cycle control. Using a unique combination of technologies that yields unprecedented statistical precision, we find that their mean sizes grow exponentially in time and that their size distributions collapse to a single curve when rescaled by their means. An analogous result holds for the division-time distributions. We account for these observations with a minimal stochastic model that is based on an autocatalytic cycle. It predicts the scalings, as well as specific functional forms for the universal curves. Our experimental and theoretical analysis reveals a simple physical principle governing these core biological processes: a single timescale governs noisy bacterial growth and division despite the complexity of underlying molecular mechanisms.
Variation in susceptibility of lettuce cultivars to fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae.

Lettuce cultivars adapted to Californian growing conditions were screened for resistance to fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae in order to determine if differences in susceptibility among currently grown cultivars might contribute to management of this disease. Based on a preliminary evaluation of 46 cultivars, eight that were among the most resistant of their horticultural type (iceberg, romaine or leaf) were selected for further testing. The relative susceptibility of these cultivars was assessed by: (i) root-dip inoculation, (ii) sowing seeds into infested potting mix and (iii) transplanting seedlings into an infested field. Evaluations of disease severity showed that both methods (i) and (ii) produced cultivar rankings that were significantly correlated with rankings from field trials [method (iii)]. Two romaine and two leaf cultivars were highly resistant to fusarium wilt (mean disease severity rating of £ 1AE3 on a 1‐4 scale) under all test conditions. Other romaine and leaf cultivars, however, were highly susceptible in root‐dip tests, so there was no consistent association between cultivar type and susceptibility to fusarium wilt. Likewise, there was considerable variation in susceptibility to wilt among iceberg cultivars, but all were significantly more susceptible than the most resistant romaine and leaf cultivars.
Energy-efficient routing through Weighted Load Balancing

In this paper we present a novel algorithm, Energy Efficient Weighted Load Balanced Routing (E-WLBR), to increase network lifetime for ad hoc wireless networks by applying weighted load-balancing strategies to the network. We show that E-WLBR significantly outperforms the Energy-opportunistic Weighted Minimum Energy Algorithm (E-WME) (an asymptotically optimal algorithm shown in [7] to outperform a host of other algorithms) in throughput and efficient network energy utilization by communicating global network conditions with minimal control message overhead.
Copper-Reductant Composite for Long-Life Electrical Contact

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new long-life electrical contact. The ability of copper-reductant composite by which the reducing agent with a size of 50 nm or less was distributed inside to extend a sliding life as a slide member for electrical contact was studied. After investigating that L-ascorbic acid as a reductant reduces cupric oxide to copper at room temperature, formation of the copper-reductant composite was tried by the composite plating using the aqueous solutions of a mixed-ligand copper(II) complex with L-ascorbic acid and 1,10phenanthroline. In the obtained composite film contact, L-ascorbic acid as a reductant and 1,10-phenanthroline were probably distributed in 20 nm or less size, and the sufficiently longer sliding life was shown in slide testing than the plated copper film contact. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2014423]
Factors predictive of a beneficial response to therapy of hepatitis C

Alpha interferon is the only drug that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, but only half of patients respond, either transiently or permanently. Pretreatment features that are associated with a greater likelihood of response to short courses of interferon include low hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels, viral genotypes 2 or 3, and the absence of fibrosis or cirrhosis on liver biopsy. Each of these features is more predictive of sustained response (SR) than the end-of-treatment response (ETR). However, the accuracy of these features in predicting response in individual patients is poor. Furthermore, there are several limitations to using these factors in the clinical management of patients. Most importantly, they were identified in 6-month treatment trials. Longer treatment or combination of interferon with ribavirin reduces relapses and will therefore lessen the association of these factors with long-term response. In addition, changes in the definition of treatment end points and the technology used to measure HCV RNA might change the association between these predictive factors and response. The best predictor of a treatment response is the early normalization of the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level during interferon treatment. HCV RNA loss during treatment may also be helpful in predicting response, but it is probably no better than serum ALT levels and is expensive. In summary, several clinical and virological features are associated with higher response rates to interferon treatment. Although pretreatment factors do not accurately predict treatment outcome in individuals, they may be helpful in counseling patients and making treatment decisions.
Continued Chemosensitivity to Cisplatin/Carboplatin in Ovarian Carcinoma Despite Treatment with Multiple Prior Platinum-Based Regimens

While it is well recognized that individuals with ovarian cancer who have previously responded to platinum-based therapy can achieve a second response to cisplatin or carboplatin at the time of relapse, limited data exist in the oncologic literature regarding the number of times this process can be repeated. We briefly report here three patients with ovarian cancer currently being cared for in the Gynecologic Oncology program of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation who have achieved four (1 patient) or five (2 patients) separate clinical responses to cisplatin or carboplatin-based chemotherapy and have survived >4 years since the date of first relapse. This experience emphasizes the point that platinum resistance cannot be defined based on total treatment courses or the number of prior platinum-based regimens delivered, but only by objective evidence of failure of the drugs in an individual patient.
Dental Enamel Biomineralization: A Prospectus

It is becoming increasingly evident that recombinant DNA technology, physical-chemistry and selected biological processes can be coupled leading to the development of new “synthetic” biomaterials. This summary and prospectus will highlight selected features related to dental enamel biomineralization towards the development of human dental enamel as a restorative biomaterial.
Finite vacuum energy density in quantum field theory

The observed energy density of the vacuum is shown to be finite for a relativistic scalar quantum field theory defined on the tangent bundle of Minkowski spacetime, and constrained by maximal proper acceleration. The vacuum expectation value of the energy per unit spatial volume is calculated on the worldline of the observer, and is shown to be convergent and finite. The vacuum energy density is near vanishing for sufficiently small spread in the spatial part of the observer's four-velocity.
Investigation of purcell factor and light extraction efficiency in Ag-Coated GaN/InGaN core-shell nanowires

We calculate the Purcell factor and light extraction efficiency in Ag-coated GaN/InGaN core-shell nanowires using a model that includes the structural features necessary for electrical injection. The nanowires exhibit maximum Purcell factors of ~60 and maximum light extraction efficiencies of ~12%.
Simulating the emission and outflows from accretion discs

The radio source Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) is believed to be a hot, inhomogeneous, magnetized plasma flowing near the event horizon of the 3.6 × 106 M⊙ black hole at the galactic centre. At a distance of 8 kpc ( 2.5 × 1022 cm) the black hole would be among the largest black holes as judged by angular size. Recent observations are consistent with the idea that the millimetre and sub-millimetre photons are dominated by optically thin, thermal synchrotron emission. Anticipating future Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of Sgr A* at these wavelengths, we present here the first dynamically self-consistent models of millimetre and sub-millimetre emission from Sgr A* based on general relativistic numerical simulations of the accretion flow. Angle-dependent spectra are calculated assuming a thermal distribution of electrons at the baryonic temperature dictated by the simulation and the accretion rate, which acts as a free parameter in our model. The effects of varying model parameters (black hole spin and inclination of the spin to the line of sight) and source variability on the spectrum are shown. We find that the accretion rate value needed to match our calculated millimetre flux to the observed flux is consistent with constraints on the accretion rate inferred from detections of the rotation measure. We also describe the relativistic jet that is launched along the black hole spin axis by the accretion disc and evolves to scales of ~103GMc−2, where M is the mass of the black hole.
Few point mutations in elongation factor-1γ gene in gastrointestinal carcinoma

Elongation factor-1 (EF-1) gamma is overexpressed in a high proportion of gastrointestinal cancers. The mechanism of overexpression has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to examine cDNA specimens from pancreatic and colorectal cancer for mutation in this gene, which would allow us to determine whether gene mutations are responsible for overexpression of EF-1gamma. In one colorectal carcinoma, we detected an A-->G transition at amino-acid codon 158 (T-->C in the sense strand) resulting in a change from a leucine to a serine. The base change was not detected in cDNA isolated from normal-appearing tissue from the same patient. We did not find mutations in another five colorectal carcinoma and five pancreatic cancer samples. Thus, although we detected a mutation in one tumor, the frequency of mutations was too low to account for the high frequency of overexpression of the EF-1gamma RNA in colorectal cancer. We also investigated other possible mechanisms of overexpression of the EF-1gamma RNA in this study. Slot-blot analysis of DNA isolated from colorectal cancers showed that the overexpression was not due to gene amplification. Using serum starvation to synchronize cultured cells, we showed that the overexpression was also not due to an increase in the number of cycling cells, as occurs in cancer. Using Southern blot analysis, we were unable to detect genome rearrangements that could have been responsible for the overexpression. In conclusion, the mechanism for overexpression of the EF-1gamma gene in colorectal and pancreatic cancer remains unknown. However, mutations in the coding sequence of the gene, gene amplification, and gene rearrangement do not account for the high frequency of overexpression of this gene, and the overexpression is not due to an increase in the number of cycling cells.
Attitudes Toward Gay Marriage in States Undergoing Marriage Law Transformation

This study examines attitudes toward gay marriage within the context of concern over the weakening of heterosexual marriage. We use data from a three-state survey conducted in 1998 – 2000 and designed to explore attitudes toward marriage and divorce reform (N = 976). We find that women, Whites, and younger persons are more approving of gay marriage than men, Blacks, and older persons. Nonparents with cohabitation experience are most approving, whereas parents with no cohabitation experience are most opposed. Heterosexual marriage preservation attitudes are key predictors, net of religiosity and political conservativism. We interpret these findings with theories about vested interest in upholding marriage as an institution and ambivalence resulting from conflicting core values of the sanctity of marriage versus the valorization of individualism.
Three-State Quantum Dot Gate FETs Using ZnS-ZnMgS Lattice-Matched Gate Insulator on Silicon

This paper presents the three-state behavior of quantum dot gate field-effect transistors (FETs). GeOx-cladded Ge quantum dots (QDs) are site-specifically self-assembled over lattice-matched ZnS-ZnMgS high-κ gate insulator layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on silicon substrates. A model of three-state behavior manifested in the transfer characteristics due to the quantum dot gate is also presented. The model is based on the transfer of carriers from the inversion channel to two layers of cladded GeOx-Ge quantum dots.
Calculation of nonisothermal kinetics of physicochemical processes

General methods have been developed for calculating the kinetics of physicochemical processes under nonisothermal conditions; existing solutions follow as special cases from the relationships obtained in this work.
Measurement realibility of cardiovascular reactivity change scores: A comparison of intermittent and continuous methods of assessment

Cardiovascular reactivity testing is a widely used measure of risk for hypertension and coronary heart disease. Evidence for the reliability of the measures, however, is weak. If the measures (usually change scores) are unreliable, the usefulness of testing is limited, since relationships with other measures, such as disease outcomes, may be obscured. This study examines the reliability of blood pressure change, using both a traditional method of assessment (Colin ABPM) which provides intermittent readings, and a non-invasive method that samples the complete distribution of pressures (Ohmeda Finapres). While the reliability for the Colin was found to be good for absolute level of individual measurements, it was extremely poor for change scores. The Finapres, however, yielded high reliabilities for change scores as well as absolute levels, due to the large number of readings taken during baseline and stressor conditions. Implications for reactivity testing methodology are discussed.
Erratum to: “Physiological perspectives of changes over time in maize yield dependency on nitrogen uptake and associated nitrogen efficiencies: A review” [Field Crops Res. 133 (2012) 48–67]

The publisher regrets that the following error has occurred in the above article. The current abstract on page 48, 6th line from the ottom, reads: (iv) New Era (56.0 kg GY grain kg−1 N) was primarily associated with reduced grain %N, and to a minor degree with NHI gains; This should correctly read: (iv) NIE improvement from old (49.7 kg GY kg−1 N) to New Era (56.0 kg GY grain kg−1 N) was primarily associated with reduced grain N, and to a minor degree with NHI gains;
Patterns of Attachment and Maternal Discourse Effects on Children's Emotion Understanding From 3 to 5 Years of Age

Two studies examined the influence of maternal discourse style and security of attachment, and their interaction, on preschoolers’ emotion understanding. The first, with 3-year-olds, unexpectedly found no significant prediction of emotion understanding from attachment and discourse, and the interaction of the predictors yielded theoretically unpredicted associations with emotion understanding. Consequently, measures of attachment and emotion understanding were obtained again on these children at age 5 in a second study. At this age, consistent with expectations, secure attachment predicted higher emotion understanding, especially in the context of maternal use of elaborative discourse from the earlier assessment. The findings suggest that during the period of significant representational advance between ages 3 and 5, the influence of maternal discourse and attachment security are developmentally transformed as children's conceptions of psychological states rapidly change. By age 5, however, maternal elaborative discourse in the context of attachment security fosters deeper emotion understanding in preschoolers.
SVEET! a scalable virtualized evaluation environment for TCP

The ability to establish an objective comparison between high-performance TCP variants under diverse networking conditions and to obtain a quantitative assessment of their impact on the global network traffic is essential to a community-wide understanding of various design approaches. Small-scale experiments are insufficient for a comprehensive study of these TCP variants. We propose a TCP performance evaluation testbed, called SVEET, on which real implementations of the TCP variants can be accurately evaluated under diverse network configurations and workloads in large-scale network settings. This testbed combines real-time immersive simulation, emulation, machine and time virtualization techniques. We validate the testbed via extensive experiments and assess its capabilities through case studies involving real web services.
On Methods of Constructing Sets of Mutually Orthogonal Latin Squares Using a Computer. I

This paper deals with the problem of finding sets of mutually orthogonal Latin squares of order 4t (where 4t – 1 is a prime power) based on orthogonal mappings of a group. For the group G we take the module G(2, 2t) whose elements are vectors (a 1, a 2,) where a 1 is a residue class (mod 2) and a 2 is a residue class (mod 2t), the addition being defined by (a 1, a 2) + (b 1, b 2) = (c 1, c 2) where a 1 + b 1 = C 1 (mod 2) and a 2 + b 2 = c 2 (mod 2t). Then the search for orthogonal mappings is materially simplified by using a configuration based on the balanced incomplete block design with parameters v = b = 4t – 1, r = k = 2t – 1, λ = t – 1. Using this method, two sets of five mutually orthogonal Latin squares of order 12 were obtained.
Xenopus sonic hedgehog guides retinal axons along the optic tract

The role of classic morphogens such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh) as axon guidance cues has been reported in a variety of vertebrate organisms (Charron and Tessier-Lavigne [2005] Development 132:2251–2262). In this work, we provide the first evidence that Xenopus sonic hedgehog (Xshh) signaling is involved in guiding retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons along the optic tract. Xshh is expressed in the brain during retinal axon extension, adjacent to these axons in the ventral diencephalon. Retinal axons themselves express Patched 1 and Smoothened co-receptors during RGC axon growth. Blocking Shh signaling causes abnormal ventral pathfinding, and targeting errors at the optic tectum. Misexpression of exogenous N-Shh peptide in vivo also causes pathfinding errors. Retinal axons grown in culture respond to N-Shh in a dose-dependent manner, either by decreasing extension at lower concentrations, or retracting axons in the presence of higher doses. These data suggest that Shh signaling is required for normal RGC axon pathfinding and tectal targeting in the developing visual system of Xenopus. We propose that Shh serves as a ventral optic tract repellent that helps to define the caudal boundary for retinal axons in the diencephalon, and that this signaling is also required for initial target recognition at the optic tectum. Developmental Dynamics 239:2921–2932, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cotton market integration and the impact of China's new exchange rate regime

This article studies the integration of China's cotton market with the international market, especially the U.S. market. Investigating the futures prices from the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in the U.S. and the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) in China with several time series models, we find that a long-run cointegration relationship exists between these two series. The two markets share price transmissions, and based on results from an Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (ARCH) model, we find their price volatilities are similar. We argue that China's recent exchange rate reform and its gradual liberalization in bilateral cotton trade since it joined World Trade Organization have had important impacts on these futures markets. Based on these findings, several important economic and policy implications are derived.
Multilayer piezoelectric ceramics for two-dimensional array transducers

In medical ultrasound imaging, 2-D array transducers have become essential to implement dynamic focusing and phase-correction in the elevation dimension as well as real-time volumetric scanning. Unfortunately, the small size of a 2-D array element results in a small clamped capacitance and a large electrical impedance near resonance. These elements have poor sensitivity because their impedance is much higher than the electrical impedance of the transmit and receive circuitry. Sensitivity can be improved by using an N layer structure of PZT ceramic with the layers connected acoustically in series and electrically in parallel. For the multilayer ceramic (MLC), the damped capacitance is multiplied by a factor of N/sup 2/ and the electrical impedance by 1/N/sup 2/ compared to a single layer element of the same dimensions. A 3/spl times/43 phased-array transducer has been fabricated using 3 layer PZT-5H material. Each element had a thickness of 0.66 mm and an area of 0.37/spl times/3.5 mm. The MLC was manufactured using thick film technology with plated-through vias to electrically interconnect the electrode layers. The completed transducer was compared to a single layer control array of similar dimensions. With a light epoxy backing and a /spl lambda//4 matching layer, the MLC array elements had an impedance of 100 /spl Omega/ at series resonance of 2.25 MHz, compared to 800 /spl Omega/ for the control elements. The lower impedance of the MLC elements resulted in a minimum round-trip insertion loss of 24.0 dB, compared to an 34.1 dB for the control array elements. These results were consistent with KLM modeling. B-scan images were made of cysts in a tissue-mimicking phantom and of the left kidney in vivo. The images clearly showed a higher signal-to-noise ratio for the MLC array compared to the control. As a result, 2-D arrays made of multilayer ceramics can be used to form images at a higher frequency and greater range than single layer arrays. >
Choriocarcinoma of the adrenal gland: A case report.

Abstract Introduction Non-gestational, extragonadal choriocarcinoma is a rare clinical entity. Presentation of case Herein, we report a 56 year old woman who presented with an incidental adrenal mass and was diagnosed with a non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the adrenal gland as the sole site of disease. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first case of an ectopic primary adrenal choriocarcinoma. A metastasis from a primary tumor that completely regressed or that could not be identified is an alternate explanation. Conclusion It should be recognized that choriocarcinoma can affect the adrenal gland and it should be considered as a rare cause for an adrenal incidentaloma.
HIV Gp120 Epitope Profile on Cell-Bound Virions Assessed using Various Microscopy Techniques

Background: HIV gp120 experiences multiple molecular interactions and structural rearrangements during host cell attachment and entry. However, the antigenic correlates of these dynamic changes are essentially unknown for single HIV particles bound to target cells. Gp120 on cell-bound virions is a target for multiple humoral effector mechanisms mediated by anti-gp120 antibodies, including direct neutralizing activity and elimination by Fc-mediated effector functions such as antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). It is therefore critical to understand the antigenicity of these conserved epitopes that become exposed during productive viral replication, to provide important guidance for designing antiviral strategies such as vaccines to raise protective antibody responses.Methods: We studied the antigenicity of conserved epitopes by visualizing their exposure on single HIV particles as they interact with target TZM-bl cells using confocal microscopy. Epitope exposure was probed by visualizing the binding of cognate antibodies.We then employed direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) to determine the number of antibodies bound to cell-attached HIV, and their location relative to the virus - cell contact site.Results: CD4-induced (CD4i) epitopes thought to be sterically occluded from the virus - cell interface, were exposed on cell-bound HIV gp120. The level of A32, 17b and C11 CD4i antibody staining was similar to neutralizing antibodies b12 and 2G12. The location of these CD4i epitopes was distal to the virus - cell contact site.Conclusion: The patterns of cell-bound gp120 epitope exposure are consistent with the ADCC activities of cognate antibodies. CD4i epitopes were unexpectedly exposed distal to the HIV - cell interface, where they can be accessed by antibodies involved in ADCC. These findings indicate that HIV-1 exhibits a diversity of epitope exposure upon attachment that may provide unique insights for understanding how humoral immunity impacts HIV infection.