cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The organic acid composition of healthy and tobacco mosaic virus-infected tobacco plants.

Abstract Healthy detached leaves of Turkish tobacco which were floated on water for 4 days contained about eight times more glyceric acid than did comparable leaves infected with tobacco mosaic virus. Time-series studies indicated that glyceric acid accumulated in both healthy and diseased detached leaves during the first 3 days after detachment but then decreased more rapidly in diseased leaves. Healthy and diseased leaves from intact plants contained only a trace of glyceric acid and did not show these differences. It is suggested that the lower glyceric acid content of virus-infected detached leaves is due either to a greater rate of utilization of the acid, a decrease in the rate of glyceric acid production, or both.
Conversion disorders: An overview

Abstract Despite a rich medical history, conversion disorders remain an elusive clinical phenomenon. Theoretical formulations have often taken precedence over empiric data. This review suggests that, with the exception of demonstrable nonpsysiologic findings, no other clinical or historical information provides other than “soft” data to support a diagnosis of conversion disorder. Conversion symptoms are nonverbal communications facilitated by nonspecific factors that inhibit a more articulate verbal expression of ideas and emotions. These factors include heredity, concurrent neurologic and psychiatric disorders, and cultural prohibitions. Conversion should be evaluated clinically as a symptom rather than as a primary diagnosis.
Implications of Transformation Plasticity in ZrO2‐Containing Ceramics: II, Elastic‐Plastic Indentation

Indentation hardness of partially stabilized zirconia was found to be 8.2 times the uniaxial compressive yield stress. This ratio is anomalously high for ceramic materials and is attributed to pressure hardening in transformation plasticity. An analytic solution of elastic-plastic indentation using the spherical-hole model is given, based on a pressure-sensitive idealized yield criterion. The theory correctly predicts a higher hardness and a larger plastic zone, both in quantitative agreement with the experimental observations in Mg-PSZ. Data analysis further reveals a large disparity of yield stress and hardness values among cubic, tetragonal, and monoclinic zirconias, resulting from their different phase transformation and twinning capabilities. The broader implications of pressure sensitivity in elastic-plastic Indentation are rationalized.
The quality of the majority of removable partial dentures worn in the United States is remarkably low

Summary Subjects The study population was 17,844 adults who had oral0689 exams as part of NHANES III, 1306 of whom wore removable partial dentures. Dental exam data were available for 1303 individuals with removable partial dentures. The study included 1603 removable partial dentures (811 maxillary and 792 mandibular). The age range of the subjects was 17 to 70+. Exposure The presence of a removable partial denture. 0689 Main outcome measure Information regarding defects in removable partial 0689 dentures was obtained from the NHANES III databases. Defects in several categories were noted. Extraoral defect categories included integrity, excessive wear of posterior teeth, and presence of reline/tissue conditioner. Intraoral defect categories included stability and retention. Main results At least 250,000 adults under the age of 40 have removable 0689 partial dentures. In this study, the number of removable partial dentures increased as the age of the patients increased. The number of maxillary removable partial dentures peaked in the 51-to-60 age group, and the number of mandibular removable partial dentures peaked in the 61-to-70 age group. In patients older than 70 years of age, the number of removable partial dentures then decreased with an increase in the number of complete dentures. Only a third of removable partial dentures werefound to be completely satisfactory, with approximately 65% of the dentures having at least 1 defect. Lack of stability was the most common defect noted for both maxillary and mandibular removable partial dentures, followed by tooth wear and lack of integrity. Retention and stability problems were more commonwith maxillary than with mandibular removable partial dentures. However, when patient age was adjusted for, the mandibular removable partial dentures were found to have more problems associated with retention, stability, and relining. Information regarding the age of the removable partial denture was not available.
A model to predict minimum required clamp pre-loads in light of fixture-workpiece compliance

Abstract The determination of minimum required clamp pre-loads is an important process in the design of machining fixtures. This paper presents a linear, clamp pre-load (LCPL) model that can be applied to fixture–workpiece systems whose compliance is load invariant. The model considers the static deformation of the fixture–workpiece system in response to the clamping process and the machining process. Sources of compliance throughout a fixture–workpiece system are considered. The model computes the minimum required pre-loads necessary to prevent workpiece slip at the fixture–workpiece joints throughout the machining process. This paper also describes an experimental study that was used to characterize the accuracy of the LCPL model with regard to the application of a ramping external load to a fixture–workpiece system. Over the contact conditions tested, the LCPL model was observed to overestimate the minimum required clamp pre-loads by an average of 7%. This experimental study also revealed the sensitivity of the computed pre-loads to the relative compliance of the fixture elements as well as the coefficient of friction.
Cyclic AMP potentiates down regulation of epidermal growth factor receptors by platelet-derived growth factor.

Abstract Pretreatment of Balb c -3T3 cells with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been shown to decrease binding sites for 125I-labelled epidermal growth factor (EGF) (1,2,3). Agents which elevate cellular cyclic AMP concentrations enhance this ability, and the change in EGF binding is inversely proportional to the elevation of cyclic AMP. In quiescent density arrested cells, the sensitivity of cells to down regulation of EGF receptors by PDGF is proportional to the cyclic AMP content of the cultures in three different cell lines. Agents which elevate cyclic AMP and which potentiate PDGF mediated heterologous down regulation of EGF receptors are able, like cholera toxin (3), to stimulate cells to synthesize DNA in defined medium in the absence of EGF. Down regulation of EGF receptors by PDGF in combination with agents elevating cyclic AMP effectively mimics the action of EGF.
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Is Not Associated With Increased Mortality After Lung Transplantation

s S249 showed superior survival for SLT vs BLT in restrictive lung diseases (p = 0.04), and similar survival for SLT vs BLT in obstructive lung diseases (p = 0.12). The non-inferiority of SLT vs BLT was maintained in different age subgroups within 50 64 year age group (number of recipients deceased within 3 years in 50 59 year age subgroup: 14 % vs 24 %, p = 0.21; and in 60 64 year age subgroup: 15 % vs 38 %, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Within 50 64 year age group, survival in SLT was superior to BLT in restrictive lung disease recipients, and similar to BLT in obstructive lung disease recipients. Preferentially performing SLT in 50 64 age group may result in improved donor lung utilization and superior survival in restrictive lung disease recipients, and improved donor lung utilization without compromising survival in obstructive lung disease recipients.
Re-evaluation of the merit of the liver scan in the management of patients with cancer of the colon and rectum

Radioisotopic scanning of the liver has limitations but is a useful adjunct in determining the presence or absence of malignant invasion of the liver.
Integration of multiphase science and technology with risk management in nuclear power reactors

Application of the Risk-Oriented Accident Analysis Methodology to the Economic, Simplified Boiling Water Reactor Design.
Collisionless Plasma Modeling in an Arbitrary Potential Energy Distribution

A new technique for calculating a collisionless plasma along a field line is presented. The primary feature of this new ion-exospheric model is that it can handle an arbitrary (including nonmonotonic) potential energy distribution. This was one of the limiting constraints on the existing models in this class, and these constraints are generalized for an arbitrary potential energy composition. The formulation for relating current density to the field-aligned potential as well as formulas for density, temperature, and energy flux calculations are presented for several distribution functions, ranging from a bi-Lorentzian with a loss cone to an isotropic Maxwellian. A comparison of these results with previous models shows that the formulation reduces to the earlier models under similar assumptions.
Implementation in dynamic job transfers

Abstract The implementation problem in a dynamic incentive contract with job transfers is studied. We find that in the job transfers contract, there are multiple equilibria, in some of which the agents can lie. We construct a mechanism to uniquely implement the principal's desired equilibrium under job transfers.
Multiple roles of neural cell adhesion molecule, neural cell adhesion molecule-polysialic acid, and L1 adhesion molecules during sensory innervation of the otic epithelium in vitro

To explore the role of cell adhesion molecules in the innervation of the inner ear, antibody perturbation was used on histotypic co-cultures of the ganglionic and epithelial anlagen derived from the otocyst. When unperturbed, these tissues survived and differentiated in this culture system with outgrowth of fasciculated neuronal fibers which expressed neural cell adhesion molecule and L1. The fibers exhibited target choice and penetration, then branching and spreading within the otic epithelium as individual axons. Treatment of the co-cultures, or of the ganglionic anlagen alone, with anti-neural cell adhesion molecule or anti-L1 Fab fragments produced a defasciculation of fibers but did not affect neurite outgrowth. In the co-cultures this defasciculation was accompanied by a small increase in the number of fibers found in inappropriate tissues. However, the antibodies did not prevent fiber entry to the otic epithelium. In contrast, removal of polysialic acid from neural cell adhesion molecule with endoneuraminadase-N, while producing a similar fiber defasciculation, also increased the incidence of fibers entering the epithelium. Nevertheless, once within the target tissue, the individual fibers responded to either Fab or to desialylation by spreading out more rapidly, branching, and growing farther into the epithelium. The findings suggest that fasciculation is not essential for specific sensory fibers to seek out and penetrate the appropriate target, although it may improve their tracking efficiency. Polysialic acid on neural cell adhesion molecule appears to limit initial penetration of the target epithelium. Polysialic acid as well as neural cell adhesion molecule and L1 function are involved in fiber-target interactions that influence the arborization of sensory axons within the otic epithelium.
Utility of the Seattle Heart Failure Model in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure

Objectives The aim of this study was to validate the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Background The SHFM was developed primarily from clinical trial databases and extrapolated the benefit of interventions from published data. Methods We evaluated the discrimination and calibration of SHFM in 445 advanced HF patients (age 52 ± 12 years, 68.5% male, 52.4% white, ejection fraction 18 ± 8%) referred for cardiac transplantation. The primary end point was death (n = 92), urgent transplantation (n = 14), or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation (n = 3); a secondary analysis was performed on mortality alone. Results Patients were receiving optimal therapy (angiotensin-II modulation 92.8%, beta-blockers 91.5%, aldosterone antagonists 46.3%), and 71.0% had an implantable device (defibrillator 30.4%, biventricular pacemaker 3.4%, combined 37.3%). During a median follow-up of 21 months, 109 patients (24.5%) had an event. Although discrimination was adequate (c-statistic >0.7), the SHFM overall underestimated absolute risk (observed vs. predicted event rate: 11.0% vs. 9.2%, 21.0% vs. 16.6%, and 27.9% vs. 22.8% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively). Risk underprediction was more prominent in patients with an implantable device. The SHFM had different calibration properties in white versus black patients, leading to net underestimation of absolute risk in blacks. Race-specific recalibration improved the accuracy of predictions. When analysis was restricted to mortality, the SHFM exhibited better performance. Conclusions In patients with advanced HF, the SHFM offers adequate discrimination, but absolute risk is underestimated, especially in blacks and in patients with devices. This is more prominent when including transplantation and LVAD implantation as an end point.
Simulation of sensory neuronal discharge characteristics: the effects of multiple receptor sites and sources of variability.

Abstract There is conflict in the literature concerning the effect of multiple receptive endings on sensory afferent discharge. We simulated the discharge of intrapulmonary chemoreceptors of ducks and studied the effect of numbers of receptive endings, membrane ‘noise’ and changes in receptor threshold and gain. We found increasing membrane noise could not account for variability in spontaneously intrapulmonary chemoreceptors and that, over a wide range of amplitude of various sources of noise, increasing the number of receptive endings increased discharge frequency and precision of transduction of the stimulus by reducing variability.
Understanding of website usability: Specifying and measuring constructs and their relationships

Developing a usable website is pivotal for e-business success. Researchers have devoted effort to develop metrics, guidelines and theories of website usability, yet there still is a lack of consensus on the multifaceted dimensions of website usability and lack of investigation of the nomological networks among website usability constructs. This study first investigated the common dimensions of website usability by integrating the findings of previous studies and a focus group study with website usability experts. Instruments to measure the constructs were developed and empirically validated. Then nomological networks between website usability constructs and between those constructs and online purchase intention and purchase were examined. Three field studies including two questionnaire surveys and a causal mapping analysis were conducted. The research identified ten website usability constructs with strong psychometric properties. A number of nomological networks between usability constructs were discovered, contributing to identification of sources of variances of purchase intention and purchase behavior. Findings of this study are expected to provide useful insights for practitioners to develop more usable websites and for researchers to better assess the effect of website usability on online customer behavior.
Scott Shuler's “Music and Education in the Twenty-First Century: A Retrospective”—Review and Response

Predicting the future is a challenging task for music education, requiring both retrospection, analysis of current events, and foresight. This article examines several predictions from 2001 and challenges music educators to consider factors that may influence the future of teaching music in society.
The Role of Teacher Cognition and Behavior in Children’s Peer Relations

This study explored the role of the classroom teacher in peers’ evaluations of liking and disliking of their classmates. Teacher cognitions about children (teacher liking of students, teacher attributions for aggressive student behavior) and teacher behavior toward children (positive, corrective/negative) were examined as mediators in the link between children’s own behavior (aggression, prosocial behavior) and peer liking and disliking. Participants were 127 second-graders in 12 classrooms (64 males, 63 females). Data on child behavior were collected through peer and teacher report, data on teacher cognitions about children were collected through self report, data on teacher behavior toward children were collected through naturalistic classroom observations, and data on peer liking and disliking were collected through peer nominations. Data were analyzed using path analysis. Results indicated that teacher cognitions about children and corrective/negative teacher behavior toward children mediated the relations between aggressive and prosocial child behavior and peer disliking.
Self-enforcing collusion in large dynamic markets

Abstract The “folk theorem” in game theory implies that any outcome that is better for all players than some single period Nash outcome can be achieved through noncooperative equilibrium in repeated games with discounting. Whether the folk theorem holds for a repeated Cournot oligopoly as the number of firms, N , increases without bound, is investigated. It is shown that the folk theorem holds in the limit iff demand increases at the same rate as the number of firms and the Cournot price sequence is bounded strictly above by the supremum of marginal cost for large N .
Synthesis of deuterium‐labeled 7‐azanorobrnane and 2‐azabicyclo [2.2.2]‐octane derivatives

The syntheses of four specifically-deuterated 2,3-benzo-7-azanorbornane derivatives and three specifically-deuterated 5,6-benzo-2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives are described.
Where computer vision needs help from computer science

This paper describes areas and problems where computer vision can use help from the discrete algorithms community.
Development of the Mars microbeam Raman spectrometer (MMRS)

[1] Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for mineral characterization and for detection of water and organic and inorganic forms of carbon. The Mars microbeam Raman spectrometer (MMRS) is designed for close-up analysis of rocks and soils in planetary surface exploration. The MMRS consists of a probe (in a flight unit to be deployed by a robotic arm) and a spectrograph, laser source, and electronics (in a flight unit to reside on a rover or lander). The Raman probe has a scanning optical bench that enables a 1-cm linear traverse across a target rock or soil, both on target materials as encountered and on fresh surfaces of rocks exposed by abrasion or coring. From these spectra, one can identify major, minor, and trace minerals, obtain their approximate relative proportions, and determine chemical features (e.g., Mg/Fe ratio) and rock textural features (e.g., mineral clusters, amygdular fill, and veins). One can also detect and identify organic species, graphitic carbon, and water-bearing phases. Extensive performance tests have been done on a brassboard model of the MMRS using a variety of geological materials (minerals, rocks, Martian meteorites, etc.). These tests show that a Raman spectrometer can be built that is suitably miniaturized, sufficiently robust, and low enough in power usage to serve as an on-surface planetary instrument, yet the spectrometer can retain high detection sensitivity and yield near laboratory quality spectra over a broad wavelength range. These features are essential to provide definitive mineralogy in a planetary exploration.
Perioperative management of the pediatric cardiac transplantation patient.

The major diagnoses carried by children undergoing cardiac transplantation worldwide are congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies, and retransplantation. The leading diagnosis in infancy is congenital heart disease, whereas cardiomyopathy predominates in older children. In view of this wide spectrum of diagnoses, the perioperative management of these children requires medical, interventional, and surgical expertise in treatment of complex congenital heart defects, end-stage heart failure, and cardiac transplantation. According to the Pediatric Heart Transplantation Survey database, the majority of children listed for cardiac transplantation eventually require higher levels of cardiac support before transplantation. The team caring for these children should be prepared to escalate support in a timely fashion in order to avoid end-organ dysfunction or a catastrophic event that will remove the patient from the cardiac transplantation list. The first step is advanced hemodynamic monitoring in a specialized pediatric cardiac intensive care unit and initiation of inotropic support. Further escalation of care should be based on careful analysis of the hemodynamic profile, end-organ function, and biochemical markers of perfusion and myocardial stress. A patient who continues to deteriorate in spite of inotropic support requires positive pressure ventilation, and if deterioration continues, mechanical circulatory support is initiated. Cardiac transplantation is a challenging operation, and even more so in children with complex congenital heart defects. The abnormal cardiovascular anatomy requires planning and anticipation of possible pitfalls as hypoplasia of the aortic arch, abnormal pulmonary arteries, and abnormal systemic and pulmonary venous connections. The time required to remove adhesions in children with prior cardiac operations increases the ischemic time of the graft and the risk of primary graft dysfunction. Assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance in children with congenital heart defects is problematic, and even children with a normal transpulmonary gradient and pulmonary vascular resistance are at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular graft failure. The postoperative course is directly linked to the patient’s preoperative physical condition and perioperative course. The induction of immunosuppression and the use of plasmapheresis in children with a positive cross-match may lead to further hemodynamic compromise. If severe primary graft dysfunction evolves, early initiation of extracorporeal membranous oxygenator is indicated to avoid irreversible end-organ dysfunction.
Electrical and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy characterization of Mn-doped nanostructured TiO2 for capacitor applications

Abstract Nanostructured TiO 2 has shown promise as a dielectric material for high energy density ceramic capacitors because of its high dielectric breakdown strength and dielectric constant. Strategies to increase the insulation resistance or to reduce the leakage current of TiO 2 include doping with transition metal ions. It is shown that Mn doping followed by an appropriate thermal treatment increases the grain boundary resistivity significantly and lowers the dielectric loss. Electrical measurements along with electron paramagnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy of Mn-doped nanoscopic TiO 2 demonstrate that sintering at 900 °C leads to optimal electrical properties that are correlated with a non-uniform distribution of dopant ions, concentrated at the grain boundaries. Nanostructured TiO 2 dielectrics with improved insulation resistance are promising for the development of higher energy density capacitors.
100 years of photometry and radiometry

Measurement of light is an old subject, though the past 100 years have seen significant advances. 100 years ago, photometry - the art and science of measuring light as it is perceived by people - had the greater technological importance. Even today SI (the metric system) retains a base unit for photometry, the candela. However, early work at NBS included pivotal projects in the field of radiometry - the measurement of the physical characteristics of light. These included the validation of Planck's newly-minted theory of blackbody radiation, determining the radiation constants with good accuracy, and the definitive analysis of the spectral responsivity of human vision, so as to relate photometry to radiometry. This latter work has only increased in importance over the past 75 years as the definition of the candela has changed and improved. Today, NIST makes radiometric, and hence photometric measurements, with unprecedented precision. Cryogenic radiometers based on the principle of electrical substitution measure optical flux with uncertainties of 0.02%. Additional facilities enable measurement of spectral responsivity, spectral radiance, and spectral irradiance. Novel detectors, such as light-traps, allow the best accuracy to be transferred from the primary standards to routinely-used instruments and to calibration customers. Filtered detectors are used to realize photometric scales, radiation temperature scales, and other specialized measurements. Indeed, the story of the metrology of light is the story of continuous improvement, both driven by and enabled by advances in technology. We touch upon some of these as a prelude to the other talks in this Conference.
Hybrid Therapy of Class III Antiarrhythmic Drugs and Extensive Encircling Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patient with Drug Resistant Very Long-Lasting Atrial Fibrillation

Extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) and Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs (C3D) are established as a therapeutic option for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Afib). However, very long-lasting Afib (more than 1 year) is still difficult to manage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapy of EEPVI and C3D in this patient group. One hundred fifteen patients (mean 57.7 y.o.) with mean Afib duration of 4.4 years were studied. Mean diameter of the left atrium (LA) was 43.8 mm. Before EEPVI multiple (1.6±1.2) anti-arrhythmic drugs including C3D in 107/115 patients were ineffective to restore sinus rhythm. In the first procedure EEPVI and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation was performed. In case of Afib recurrence C3D were prescribed and re-PV isolation with substrate modification (linear ablation in LA and ablation targeting CFAE) was performed. With 1.2 procedures Afib did not recur in 95 out of 115 patients (82%) during follow-up period of 20.4 months. 44 of 115 patients were drug free and the remainders were taking C3D (bepridil: mean 100 mg in 57 patients and amiodarone in 9 patients). LA volume index measured by echocardiogram was changed from 44.3±18.2 to 37.5±11.5 ml/m2 through procedures (p<0.05). Hybrid therapy of class III antiarrhythmic drugs and EEPVI is effective to restore sinus rhythm and to reverse LA remodeling even in patients with very long-lasting atrial fibrillation.
Evaluation of Vancomycin in Combination with Piperacillin-Tazobactam or Oxacillin against Clinical Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates and Vancomycin-Intermediate S. aureus Isolates In Vitro

Vancomycin with piperacillin-tazobactam is used as empirical therapy for critically ill patients. Studies of this combination against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) are limited, but β-lactams in combination with vancomycin have shown synergistic activity against MRSA and VISA. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether piperacillin-tazobactam and vancomycin were synergistic against MRSA and VISA in vitro. Bloodstream MRSA (n = 20) and VISA (n = 4) strains were selected. In vitro antimicrobial activities of piperacillin-tazobactam and oxacillin were evaluated by disk diffusion, and MICs were determined by Etest using Muller-Hinton agar with and without vancomycin at one-half the MIC. Time-kill studies evaluated 14 MRSA and all 4 VISA isolates using piperacillin-tazobactam at 300/35 mg/liter or oxacillin at 40 mg/liter alone and with vancomycin at one-half the MIC. Mean zones of inhibition for piperacillin-tazobactam and oxacillin increased with vancomycin against MRSA and VISA (P < 0.001 for all), and the MIC90 decreased with vancomycin against MRSA and VISA to values meeting susceptibility criteria for S. aureus (P < 0.001 for both antibiotics against MRSA). In MRSA time-kill studies, the mean 24-h reductions in inoculum for piperacillin-tazobactam, piperacillin-tazobactam with vancomycin, and oxacillin with vancomycin were 3.53, 3.69, and 2.62 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. The mean 24-h reductions in VISA inoculum for piperacillin-tazobactam, piperacillin-tazobactam with vancomycin, and oxacillin with vancomycin were 2.85, 2.93, and 3.45 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. Vancomycin with piperacillin-tazobactam or oxacillin demonstrated synergistic activity against MRSA and VISA. The clinical implications of these combinations against MRSA and VISA should be investigated.
Growth of Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood in honey bees and Bacillus popilliae, the causative agent of milky disease in beetle larvae in lepidopteran cell cultures

TNM-FH Lepidopteran insect cell culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), while allowing limited vegetative growth of Paenibacillus larvae (wild-type strain), the causative agent of American foulbrood, contained no viable vegetative cells upon subculture, nor were any heat resistant spores produced in this medium alone. However, TNM-FH medium containing embryonic or midgut cells from Trichoplusia ni, hemocytes from Estigmene acrea, ovarian and embryonic cells from Spodoptera frugiperda, embryonic cells from Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera exigua and Pseudaletia unipuncta or ovarian cells from Lymantria dispar, supported both heavy vegetative cell growth and moderate production of heat resistant spores. EX-CELL 405 serum-free insect cell culture medium alone appeared to contain the appropriate nutrients required for both vegetative growth and sporulation of P. larvae. However, in the presence of embryonic cells from T. ni, limited vegetative growth occurrcd and the P. larvae cells appeared to die off. This was confirmed by the fact that no colony growth occurred upon subculture, nor were any heat resistant spores detected. This was true also in the presence of fat body cells from T. ni, except that a limited number of spores (4,000/ml) were detected in the form of colony-forming units (CFU) on plates following heating to 80 °C for 20 minutes. In a parallel study with a wild-type strain of Bacillus popilliae, vegetative cells grew only in TNM-FH medium in the presence of mid-gut BTI-Tn-MG and ovarian (Tn-368) cells of T. ni. No heat resistant spores, however, were detected in any of the cultures. When BTI-Tn-MG and Tn-368 cells were further challenged with four variant cultures of B. popilliae, vegetative growth and limited sporulation were achieved. The BTI-Tn-MG cell line in TNM-FH medium produced as many as 12,000 spores/ml after 21 days in culture.
Introduction to Symposium on Right-to-Work Legislation in the United States

In this issue’s Perspectives section, I am most pleased to present this symposium on rightto-work (RTW) legislation in the United States. Since states first implemented RTW laws more than 60 years ago, both union supporters and opponents of labor organizations have vigorously debated the merits of, and the effects that, these laws have had on the U.S. trade union movement and the nation’s workers as a whole. With lawmakers in a number of states introducing RTW bills in 2011, this issue remains a lively topic among employee relations scholars and makes the publication of this symposium quite timely. This symposium consists of three essays. In the first article entitled “The Continuing Controversy over Right-to-Work Laws in the Early Twenty-First Century,” I provide basic information and research concerning RTW legislation to help frame the discussion for the two remaining contributions, both written by experts on RTW laws who express dissenting views in their essays. In the second piece entitled, “How Right to Work Is Destroying the American Labor Movement: From the Ku Klux Klan to the Tea Party, Dr. Raymond Hogler, Professor of Management at Colorado State University and former Distinguished Chair in Labor Law at the University of Tuscia (Viterbo, Italy), argues that RTW legislation fails to stimulate economic development in states where such laws are present while, in addition, being hostile to the economic and social interests of U.S. workers. In the third essay entitled, “The Economic Effects of Right to Work Laws,” Dr. Richard Vedder, the Edwin and Ruth Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Economics at Ohio University, contends that such legislation is becoming increasingly important given the significant movement of labor and capital from nonRTW to RTW states over the last decade. Vedder maintains that, while controlling for an array of factors, such laws are positively correlated with increasing income per capita and an improved quality of life for residents of RTW states. Other symposiums on important employment relations topics are planned for future issues of the Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal. If any of the journal’s readers have suggestions for symposiums on specific topics, please do not hesitate to contact me. I hope that you enjoy this symposium and find it most illuminating. Employ Respons Rights J (2011) 23:285 DOI 10.1007/s10672-011-9184-0
Instructional support at small universities: a training perspective

This paper intends to present the challenges and opportunities encountered in technology training at small institutions using Trinity University as a case in point. During the course of this presentation we will provide: An overview of Trinity University; Initial training efforts undertaken by Information Technology Staff: what did and didn't work, challenges and roadblocks incurred during this process, response from staff and faculty; Current scenario: Creation of a new position for instructional support and how the position is evolving, what new challenges and opportunities are being encountered in the process, nature of data collection in terms of training needs, further investigations into resources and infrastructure.Future training trends: New resources and methodologies in the pipeline, creation of online training documentation and resources, opportunities for liaisons with other university divisions such as HR to better integrate training with orientation programs, impact of these methodologies on existing support systems such as the Helpdesk.
Specific β1-adrenergic receptor silencing with small interfering RNA lowers high blood pressure and improves cardiac function in myocardial ischemia

OBJECTIVES Beta-blockers are widely used and effective for treating hypertension, acute myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure, but they present side-effects mainly due to antagonism of beta2-adrenergic receptor (AR). Currently available beta-blockers are at best selective but not specific for beta1 or beta2-AR. METHODS To specifically inhibit the expression of the beta1-AR, we developed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted to beta1-AR. Three different sequences of beta1 siRNA were delivered into C6-2B cells with 90% efficiency. RESULTS One of the three sequences reduced the level of beta1-AR mRNA by 70%. The siRNA was highly specific for beta1-AR inhibition with no overlap with beta2-AR. To test this in vivo, systemic injection of beta1 siRNA complexed with liposomes resulted in efficient delivery into the heart, lung, kidney and liver, and effectively reduced beta1-AR expression in the heart without altering beta2-AR. beta1 siRNA significantly lowered blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) for at least 12 days and reduced cardiac hypertrophy following a single injection. Pretreatment with beta1 siRNA 3 days before induction of MI in Wistar rats significantly improved cardiac function, as demonstrated by dP/dt and electrocardiogram following the MI. The protective mechanism involved reduction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the beta1 siRNA-treated hearts. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates the possibility of using siRNA for treating cardiovascular diseases and may represent a novel beta-blocker specific for beta1-AR.
Sigma virus and male reproductive success in Drosophila melanogaster

The risk of disease transmission can affect female mating rate, and thus sexual conflict. Furthermore, the interests of a sexually transmitted organism may align or diverge with those of either sex, potentially making the disease agent a third participant in the sexual arms race. In Drosophila melanogaster, where sexual conflict over female mating rate is well established, we investigated how a common, non-lethal virus (sigma virus) might affect this conflict. We gave uninfected females the opportunity to copulate twice in no-choice trials: either with two uninfected males, or with one male infected with sigma virus followed by an uninfected male. We assessed whether females respond behaviorally to male infection, determined whether male infection affects either female or male reproductive success, and measured offspring infection rates. Male infection status did not influence time to copulation, or time to re-mating. However, male infection did affect male reproductive success: first males sired a significantly greater proportion of offspring, as well as more total offspring, when they were infected with sigma virus. Thus viral infection may provide males an advantage in sperm competition, or, possibly, females may preferentially use infected sperm. We found no clear costs of infection in terms of offspring survival. Viral reproductive success (the number of infected offspring) was strongly correlated with male reproductive success. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether virus-induced changes in reproductive success affect male and female lifetime fitness, and whether virus-induced changes are under male, female, or viral control.
EYA1–SIX1 complex in neurosensory cell fate induction in the mammalian inner ear

The phosphatase-transactivator EYA1 interacts with the homeodomain protein SIX1 to form transcriptional activation complexes, which play essential roles in regulating cell proliferation, survival and induction of sensory and neuronal differentiation programs during inner ear development. Mutations of the Eya1 and Six1 genes cause profound developmental auditory defects in mice and humans. The molecular mechanisms and developmental processes controlled by the EYA1 and SIX1 complex in inner ear development and neurosensory fate induction are the focus of this review.
Emerging therapeutic targets in nitric oxide-dependent cardiac disease.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical gas that plays paracrine/autocrine and intracrine roles in maintaining physiological cardiovascular performance. In the coronary circulation, NO mediates endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to shear stress and agonist-induced responses to neurohumoral stimulation. In the heart, NO modulates myocardial relaxation, β-adrenergic responses, mitochondrial respiration and substrate metabolism and excitation-contraction coupling. Endothelial dysfunction and the resulting decrease in the production, bioavailability and/or second messenger response-coupling has been implicated in coronary artery disease and complications associated with restenosis following coronary angioplasty, stent placement and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, there are a number of pathophysiological conditions (ischaemia-reperfusion, cardiac transplant rejection, myocarditis, sepsis) in which unregulated overproduction of NO and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) results in deleteri...
Inactivation of avirulent Yersinia pestis on food and food contact surfaces by ultraviolet light and freezing.

Abstract Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, can occasionally be contracted as a naso-pharyngeal or gastrointestinal illness through consumption of contaminated meat. In this study, the use of 254 nm ultraviolet light (UV-C) to inactivate a multi-isolate cocktail of avirulent Y. pestis on food and food contact surfaces was investigated. When a commercial UV-C conveyor was used (5 mW/cm2/s) 0.5 J/cm2 inactivated >7 log of the Y. pestis cocktail on agar plates. At 0.5 J/cm2, UV-C inactivated ca. 4 log of Y. pestis in beef, chicken, and catfish, exudates inoculated onto high density polypropylene or polyethylene, and stainless steel coupons, and >6 log was eliminated at 1 J/cm2. Approximately 1 log was inactivated on chicken breast, beef steak, and catfish fillet surfaces at a UV-C dose of 1 J/cm2. UV-C treatment prior to freezing of the foods did not increase the inactivation of Y. pestis over freezing alone. These results indicate that routine use of UV-C during food processing would provide workers and consumers some protection against Y. pestis.
Effect of whole-body x-radiation on rat intestine and intestinal nucleoprotein.

SummaryAfter 800 r of whole body irradiation to rats, a nucleoprotein-rich fraction of the intestine is diminished in amount and also in its content of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, dry weight, and ash. The greatest loss of phosphorus is derived from the nucleic acid fraction. In addition, the weight of the intestine, as well as the viscosity of its alkaline solutions, is significantly decreased after whole body irradiation. These data are interpreted as substantiation of the idea that one effect of whole body irradiation is the degradation of nucleic acid.
Polymer-free Near-Infrared Photovoltaics With Single Chirality (6,5) Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube Active Layers

We demonstrate a polymer-free carbon-based photovoltaic device that relies on exciton dissociation at the SWNT/C(60) interface, as shown in the figure. Through the construction of a carbon-based photovoltaic completely free of polymeric active or transport layers, we show both the feasibility of this novel device as well as inform the mechanisms for inefficiencies in SWNTs and carbon based solar cells.
Hierarchical HMMs for Autonomous Diagnostics and Prognostics

The ability to effectively control maintenance and support costs under ever increasing global competition not only requires timely identification of impending failures of critical equipment but also calls for accurate estimation of remaining-useful-life (RUL). This is especially important for critical systems with high maintenance and logistics cost such as military systems and nuclear plants. Accurately forecasting the failure time (i.e., prognostics) can lead to failure prevention and diminish the time and cost associated with unnecessary maintenance. This paper presents a prognostic method that relies on hidden Markov models (HMMs) for health-state forecasting. HMMs present an opportunity to estimate unobservable health-states using observable sensor signals. In particular, implementation of HMM based models as dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) improves the design and realization of flexible HMM structures (such as auto-regressive HMMs and hierarchical HMMs) for representing complex systems. Hierarchical HMMs are employed here to estimate on-line the health-state of drill-bits as they deteriorate with use on a CNC drilling machine. Hierarchical HMM is composed of sub-HMMs in a hierarchical fashion such that health-states can be represented as distinct nodes at the top of the hierarchy. Monte Carlo simulation, with state transition probabilities derived from a hierarchical HMM, is employed for RUL estimation. Results on health-state and RUL estimation are very promising and are reported in this paper.
Complexity in Phonological Treatment: Clinical Factors

The construct of complexity has been advanced recently as a potentially contributing variable in the efficacy of treatment for children with functional phonological disorders. Thus far, complexity has been defined in terms of linguistic and psycholinguistic structure, articulatory phonetic variables, and conventional clinical factors. The focus of this paper is on clinical complexity as it influences the selection of target sounds for treatment, with three clinical factors reviewed: consistency of the error, normative age of acquisition, and number of errors to be treated. The collective findings suggest that treatment of seemingly more complex targets results in greater phonological gains. These results are integrated with converging evidence from other populations and language and learning domains.
MEMORY AS A CULTURAL SYSTEM. ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN WORLD WAR I

World War I is the pivot of twentieth century American history because it transformed the United States from a regional into a global power. As the fiftieth anniversary of World War II winds down, we remind ourselves of the first “Great War” and its continuing importance to American self‐conception and memory.
SVM margin-based feature elimination applied to high-dimensional microarray gene expression data

In this paper we investigate application of the recently developed margin-based feature elimination (MFE) method for feature selection in support vector machines to high-dimensional, small sample size data from the DNA microarray domain. We compared the performance of MFE to the well-known recursive feature elimination (RFE) method. Our results show that MFE outperforms RFE in terms of generalization accuracy and classifier margin, especially for low frequency of SVM retraining during the feature elimination process, which is practically necessitated for very high-dimensional feature spaces.
Stabilization of lipoprotein lipase by endothelial cells

Abstract Lipoprotein lipase, purified from bovine milk, lost 90% of its activity when incubated in Hanks' balanced salt solution for 5 min at 37°C. Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells, maintained in culture, markedly stabilized this enzyme. The stabilizing factor of endothelial cells was non-dialyzable, resistant to heating at 100°C and to changes in pH, and unaffected by treatments of cells with proteolytic enzymes or with heparinase (Flavobacterium heparinum enzyme). However, the stabilizing effect on lipoprotein lipase was reduced by 60–70% by the extraction of cells with chloroform/methanol (2:1). The lipid extract of the cells stabilized the enzyme, suggesting that lipid component(s) of the endothelial cells account for their stabilizing effect. Since the endothelial cell is thought to be the site of action of lipoprotein lipase, stabilization of the enzyme by this cell may play a role in its preservation and function in vivo.
Multiply-charged heavy ion beams from a “Dirty bottle” ion source in a single-ended Van de Graaff*

With only simple modifications, standard rf ion sources can be used in single-ended accelerators to produce useful currents of argon beams of charge up to + 5. If the ion source bottle is dirty from previous use, multiply-charged ion beams of the contaminants are also observed in useful quantities with pure argon as the source gas, although they may interfere with control of the machine on the argon beams.