cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphology evolution during stress relaxation of cobalt films due to dissolution in electrolyte solutions

The stress relaxation during the interruption of cobalt thin film growth by electrodeposition was monitored by the cantilever bending technique. The surface morphological evolution of cobalt thin films during stress relaxation was characterized by atomic force microscopy. Unlike the stress relaxation of a perfect cobalt film, the relaxation of cobalt film with surface imperfections displayed irreversible character and was suggested to be the result of cobalt dissolution in electrolytes. Additionally, the irreversible stress relaxation was accompanied by mass loss and open circuit potential change, supporting the dissolution mechanism. Scaling analysis of the morphology evolution indicated that the local stress is one of the primary driving forces for the dissolution. Additives containing Cl− silenced the stress relaxation by improving the smoothness of the film surface.
Distribution of Armillaria species in upland Ozark Mountain forests with respect to site, overstory species composition and oak decline

Summary Armillaria root disease is a contributing factor to oak decline in the Ozark Mountains of central USA. We have identified Armillaria gallica, Armillaria mellea, and Armillaria tabescens in Quercus-Carya-Pinus forests of the region. Presence/absence patterns of each Armillaria species as well as all possible Armillaria species combinations were analysed by contingency tables and/or stepwise logistic multiple regressions with principal characteristics of the studied sites and forest stands, both quantitative and qualitative: geographic land-type association, bedrock type, landform position, slope direction (aspect), soil type and soil surface stone cover, down woody debris, abundance and basal area of woody vegetation and decline mortality by species. Most decline mortality consisted of two red oak species (section Erythrobalanus, Quercus coccinea and Quercus velutina), which also were most sensitive to Armillaria infection. Site characteristics related to the distributions of Armillaria species and decline mortality were also related to the preponderance of Q. coccinea and Q. velutina, regional vegetation history (i.e. conversion of Pinus echinata stands to hardwoods), and the different strategies of territory acquisition and spread of the Armillaria species involved. The presence of A. gallica may reduce the activity of more virulent Armillaria species.
A light scattering study on the droplet size and interdroplet interaction in microemulsions of AOT—oil—water system

Abstract Quasi-elastic light scattering and static light scattering techniques were used to study the droplet size and interdroplet interaction in W/O microemulsions consisting of AOT, oil, and water. The intrinsic diffusion coefficients and the virial coefficients were determined by extrapolating the experimental data to infinite dilution and studied as functions of the following variables: the molar ratio of water to surfactants, the chain length of oil, salinity, and the ratio of nonionic surfactant, Arlacel-20, to AOT. Time-averaged intensity data were interpreted based on the theory of hard sphere model with a small perturbation due to attractive interaction between the spheres. It was found that the droplet size and the interdroplet attractive interaction increased with the molar ratio of water to AOT and the chain length of oil. In contrast, an increase in salinity decreased the droplet size and interdroplet attractive interaction. The addition of Arlacel-20 increased the droplet sized but decreased the strength of the attractive interaction between microemulsion droplets. In addition to the dilution procedure, the angle-dependent measurements were also made and the data were analyzed by a square well attractive potential. It is emphasized that one must be cautious of the inaccuracy of angle-dependent analysis, since the dependence of diffusion coefficients on angle on microemulsions is usually very weak and within the experimental error.
Trajectory encoding for systems with irregular observations

Abstract A relational modeling framework is presented for representing a class of uncertain hybrid dynamical systems exhibiting delayed, infrequent, and uncertain observations. The model defines ranges of possible state evolution, and consequently the system trajectories corresponding to a given observation sequence are typically nonunique. For monitoring and state estimation, it is infeasible to individually track each of the potentially infinite number of possible trajectories. This paper presents a method of encoding a family of trajectories in a graphical representation. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of a finite encoding of system trajectories corresponding to received observation sequences.
Quantification of Calcium Pump Structure Changes in Live Celss

The sarcoendoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA) is a calcium pump that undergoes conformational changes during catalytic cycling. To investigate SERCA structure changes in living cells we fused Cerulean to the A-domain and YFP to the N-, P- or TM-domain of SERCA2a and expressed these “2-color” SERCA constructs in AAV-293 cells. 2-color SERCA constructs were catalytically active as shown by ATPase activity in vitro and Ca uptake in live cells. Specifically, the transport activity of 2-color SERCA blunted IP3-mediated Ca transients and increased the size of the Tg-releasable Ca stores. Both of these effects were reversed by coexpression of exogenous phospholamban (PLB), suggesting that 2-color SERCA function and regulation were intact. All of the constructs exhibited dynamic FRET changes in response to the pump ligands Ca and thapsigargin (Tg). The Tg-dependent conformational change was not decreased by coexpression of PLB, nor did PLB slow the kinetics of Tg-binding. Notably, FRET in ionophore-permeabilized cells was higher with saturating calcium than with EGTA in the extracellular solution. This suggests a decrease in domain separation distance with the structure transition from E2 (Ca-free) to E1 (Ca-bound). The data are consistent with closure of the cytoplasmic headpiece with Ca-binding. These 2-color SERCA constructs provide insight into the structural dynamics of Ca transport and may also be useful for evaluating candidate small molecule regulators of Ca uptake activity.
Clustered hydrophobic amino acids in amphipathic helices mediate erlin1/2 complex assembly

Erlin1 and erlin2 are highly homologous, ∼40kDa, endoplasmic reticulum membrane proteins that assemble into a ring-shaped complex with a mass of ∼2 MDa. How this complex is formed is not understood, but appears to involve multiple interactions, including a coiled-coil region that mediates lower-order erlin assembly, and a short hydrophobic region, termed the "assembly domain", that mediates higher-order assembly into ∼2 MDa complexes. Here we have used molecular modeling, mutagenesis and cross-linking to examine the role of the assembly domain in higher-order assembly. We find (i) that the assembly domains of erlin1 and erlin2 are amphipathic helices, (ii) that erlin1 alone and erlin2 alone can assemble into ∼2 MDa complexes, (iii) that higher-order assembly is strongly inhibited by point mutations to the assembly domain, (iv) that three interacting hydrophobic residues in the assembly domain and aromaticity are essential for higher-order assembly, and (iv) that while erlins1 and 2 are equally capable of forming lower-order homo- and hetero-oligomers, hetero-oligomers are the most prevalent form when erlin1 and erlin2 are co-expressed. Overall, we conclude that the ∼2 MDa erlin1/2 complex is composed of an assemblage of lower-order hetero-oligomers, probably heterotrimers, linked together by assembly domain hydrophobic residues.
Effects of thyrotropin on the vascular conductance of the thyroid gland.

It is well established that TSH from the anterior pituitary is the principal stimulatory agent in the physiological regulation of the thyroid gland. Chronic elevations of plasma TSH induce hyperplasia and hypertrophy of thyroid follicular cells and enlargement of blood capillaries. At low plasma TSH levels the thyroid gland atrophies. We have examined the vascular conductance (C = blood flow/mean arterial pressure) of the thyroid gland and several other tissues over a wide range of endogenous plasma TSH concentrations and after treatment with bovine TSH (bTSH) in rats. Tissue blood flows were determined using 15 ± 5-μm diameter 141Ce-labeled microspheres in a modification of the reference sample microsphere technique. The microspheres were injected directly into the left cardiac ventricle via a 23-gauge needle passed through the chest wall, while the reference blood sample was collected and systemic arterial blood pressure was monitored through femoral arterial catheters. After the animals were killed, ti...
The use of engagement data in accreditation, planning, and assessment

A suite of assessment tools, including measures of student engagement, powers a cycle of activities that create an institutional culture of planning and decision making based on evidence.
Stanford overview in VLSI research

The Stanford University environment provides an unique combination of systems applications coupled with a state-of-the-art IC fabrication facility. Tools for VLSI design are being developed in concert with the. evolution of chip designs--the largest design to date contains more than 10000 transistors. Design methodologies are discussed as well as specific tools and approaches for IC synthesis, layout, and analysis. Recent results of a database experiment are presented. In addition, examples of specific system architecture experiments are considered.
Fascitis eosinofílica. A propósito de un caso

Resumen La fascitis eosinofilica es un sindrome esclerodermiforme poco frecuente y de etiologia desconocida que afecta predominantemente a las extremidades. Se han barajado varias hipotesis sobre su etiologia y en algunos casos se ha descrito antecedente traumatico. Presentamos un caso de una paciente de 54 anos que tras presentar traumatismo sobre las rodillas inicia un cuadro de mialgias, induracion cutanea y retraccion progresiva de diversas articulaciones iniciado en los miembros inferiores y posteriormente en los miembros superiores y en el tronco. Realizamos el seguimiento de la paciente, mostrando su manejo desde el punto de vista rehabilitador y evolucion. La paciente mejoro tanto sus balances articulares como la marcha y el dolor. La fascitis eosinofilica es una enfermedad infrecuente en la que debemos realizar el diagnostico diferencial con otros sindromes esclerodermiformes. La rehabilitacion puede ayudar a reducir y evitar el progreso de las contracturas.
Supporting a campus portal

Role based security and access to information in a portal is the current trend, but be prepared to find the concept of defining who belongs in each "role" much more difficult than it seems. Colleges have a lot of "gray" areas.Prospective students, students, alumni, faculty, and staff are groups that are typically identified as roles that provide different views and security elements for data within a campus portal. There are two considerations in this area that often create stumbling blocks to a clean implementation of a portal. First, are the definitions of these roles clear? In which group does the retired faculty member go? Which role would a board of trustee member be assigned to? What about a student who also works for the institution? The second area surrounds how a portal is going to handle people who legitimately belong in more than one realm. The author, for example, is a staff member, a faculty member at times, an alumnus, and a parent of a student at Gettysburg College. It is imperative that the portal be flexible enough to allow users with multiple roles to participate in the views provided for each of those roles.
Impact of organic solvents and common anions on 2-chlorobiphenyl dechlorination kinetics with Pd/Mg

Abstract The current study evaluates Pd/Mg performance for 2-chlorobiphenyl (2-CB) dechlorination in the presence of naturally abundant anions such as sulfate, chloride, nitrate, hydroxide and carbonates and organic solvents that are used for ex-situ PCB extraction or may accompany PCB contamination. While studies abound on the effect of these species on corrosion rates of pure Mg, literature on the behavior of Mg galvanically coupled with Pd remains limited making their investigation necessary. We also provide insights on the effect of initial PCB concentration and system pH on 2-CB dechlorination rates. Among anions studied, especially interesting results were noted for nitrate, bicarbonate and the sodium salt of humic acid. NO3− underwent reduction to NH4+ thereby competing for electrons and consequently lowering 2-CB dechlorination rate. HCO3− significantly enhanced 2-CB dechlorination rates by serving as a proton donor. Humic acid also showed faster dechlorination rates, probably by acting as an electron ‘shuttle’ to the PCB. Only OH− produced significant impairment Pd/Mg reactivity systems. While ethanol and acetone both led to reduced dechlorination rates through reduced hydrogen production and increased affinity of 2-CB for the liquid phase, acetone lowered rates further by undergoing reduction to 2-propanol. 2-CB dechlorination at high solvent concentrations and in the presence of common anions highlights robustness of Pd/Mg systems and suggests they will fare comparably to their bench-scale performance in presence of interferences expected in natural systems.
Molecular ions in comets

Abstract Molecular ions which have been identified in the 3200 to 6500 A spectral region of comets include CO 2 + , OH + , CO + , CH + , N 2 + and H 2 O + . All of these ions were observed in comet Halley, with OH + having the greatest strength. Several moderately strong molecular ion features remain unidentified. A search for the ions, NH + , CS + , CS 2 + , OCS + , H 2 S + and SH + , in the spectrum of comet Halley indicates that all were below the detection limits of the 4-m telescope at Cerro Tololo Observatory and the 3.9-m Anglo Australian Telescope. A measurement of the N 2 + /CO + abundance ratio leads to a nitrogen-to-ammonia ratio in comet Halley, N 2 / NH 3 ∼0.2, which may be indicative of significant chemical processing in the early solar nebula.
Limitations of the brief form of the halstead category test

This study attempted to cross-validate a short form of the Category Test (subtests 1-4) first used by Calsyn, O'Leary, and Chaney (1980). One hundred and sixty-eight subjects were assigned to one of six neurological categories, and Category Test scores predicted (via regression analysis) from performance on the short form were compared with actual scores obtained from the original long form. While there was a high correlation (r = .91) between the two sets of scores, a large number of normal subjects were misclassified as brain-damaged. Additionally, subjects with focal right lesions could not be differentiated from normals either on the basis of error scores predicted from short form performance or the absolute number of errors made on subtests 1-4. These results suggested that shortening the Category Test may limit its applicability with certain populations.
Substrate and Target Sequence Length Influence RecTEPsy Recombineering Efficiency in Pseudomonas syringae

We are developing a new recombineering system to assist experimental manipulation of the Pseudomonas syringae genome. P. syringae is a globally dispersed plant pathogen and an important model species used to study the molecular biology of bacteria-plant interactions. We previously identified orthologs of the lambda Red bet/exo and Rac recET genes in P. syringae and confirmed that they function in recombineering using ssDNA and dsDNA substrates. Here we investigate the properties of dsDNA substrates more closely to determine how they influence recombineering efficiency. We find that the length of flanking homologies and length of the sequences being inserted or deleted have a large effect on RecTEPsy mediated recombination efficiency. These results provide information about the design elements that should be considered when using recombineering.
A Theoretical Study of the Flow of Air and Fallout of Solid Precipitation Over Mountainous Terrain: Part I. Airflow Model

Abstract A model for airflow over mountainous terrain is presented. The equations for steady, two-dimensional, laminar inviscid flow, including pseudo-adiabatic latent heat release, are derived. Approximate solutions to the linearized equations are obtained for stably stratified conditions, and a terrain consisting of broad ridges (width≳25 km), through an iterative transform technique which allows the nonlinear boundary conditions to be satisfied. The model indicates that the dynamical effects of latent heat are significant in some cases but are generally secondary to the barrier effect of the terrain.
Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions: At the crossroads of feminism and post‐colonialism

(1991). Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions: At the crossroads of feminism and post‐colonialism. World Literature Written in English: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 103-112.
Lipid Peroxidation in Brain: Interactions of L-DOPA/Dopamine with Ascorbate and Iron

Recent reports have stressed an accumulation of iron and enhanced levels of lipid peroxides in the substantia nigra as essential factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Many investigators believe that tissue antioxidants, such as ascorbate, play a protective role. On the other hand, L-DOPA, which is used extensively to treat Parkinson's disease, undergoes autoxidation (as does dopamine), thus generating reactive oxygen species. We studied lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mouse brain homogenates and evaluated the effects of iron (5 microM ferric-ADP), L-DOPA, dopamine and ascorbic acid, added either alone or in mixtures. Ascorbic acid was used at levels of 0.5 mM or 2.0 mM, approximating those present normally in brain. LPO in brain homogenates was stimulated by the addition of either ascorbic acid or iron, as well as by a combination of the two, in agreement with other reports. The effects of L-DOPA were complex: L-DOPA strongly suppressed LPO both with and without added iron-ADP. In sharp contrast, however, when ascorbic acid was also added, L-DOPA no longer suppressed LPO; indeed, L-DOPA stimulated LPO in the presence of added iron and ascorbic acid. Dopamine behaved similarly to L-DOPA. When ascorbic acid was studied over a concentration range, LPO was stimulated at 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 mM, with or without added iron and/or dopamine; 5 and 10 mM ascorbic acid were either not as effective or suppressed LPO below control levels. Deferoxamine, a powerful iron chelator, greatly suppressed LPO under all conditions, as did diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA). Added superoxide dismutase had no effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Simulation-based planning for peacekeeping operations: selection of robust plans

This research is part of a proposed shift in emphasis in decision support from optimality to robustness. Computer simulation is emerging as a useful tool in planning courses of action (COAs). Simulations require domain models, but there is an inevitable gap between models and reality - some aspects of reality are not represented at all, and what is represented may contain errors. As models are aggregated from multiple sources, the decision maker is further insulated from even an awareness of model weaknesses. To realize the full power of computer simluations to support decision making, decision support systems should support the planner in exporing the robustness of COAs in the face of potential weaknesses in simulation models. This paper demonstrates a method of exploring the robustness of a COA with respect to specific model assumptions about whose accuracy the decision maker might have concerns. The domain is that of peacekeeping in a country where three differenct demographic groups co-exist in tension. An external peacekeeping force strives to achieve stability, an improved economy, and a higher degree of democracy in the country. A proposed COA for such a force is simluated multiple times while varying the assumptions. A visual data analysis tool is used to explore COA robustness. The aim is to help the decision maker choose a COA that is likely to be successful even in the face of potential errors in the assumptions in the models.
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, and Self- and Other-Assessments of Social Competence: A Developmental Study

This study examined whether others (i.e., teachers and parents) and self-appraisals of social competence mediated the relationship between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression. To determine whether age moderated the effects of the mediation, the total sample was divided into younger (under 9) and older (at or above 9 years) age levels. The total sample (age range 6.6 to 11.7 years) was primarily male (194 boys and 52 females) and consisted of 148 children diagnosed with ADHD and 98 community controls. Three central findings were derived from this study. First, there was a strong relationship between ADHD (with and without comorbid ODD/CD) and depression in both younger and older aged children. Among younger children with ADHD, there was no differential influence on the level of depression depending on whether or not ADHD was comorbid with ODD/CD; in contrast, with older children, comorbid ODD/CD had higher levels of depression than was the case for children with ADHD that did not display such comorbidity. Second, with younger children approximately half of the relationship between ADHD (with and without comorbid ODD/CD) and depression was exclusively mediated by others appraisal of social competence. Third, a more complex relationship between ADHD and depression emerged during the later part of the childhood years. As such, the relationship between ADHD, others appraisals of social competence, and depression was further mediated by self-appraisals of social competence. Findings are discussed in terms of developmental theory and theoretical models of childhood depression.
Need for expansion of forensic psychiatrists' role in sexual harassment cases.

Apparently intimidated by the current climate of political correctness, forensic psychiatrists in sexual harassment cases often limit themselves to a determination of damages. Yet they are in a unique position to help in the resolution of more complex issues: they need not merely accept plaintiffs' allegations at face value, as treating psychiatrists generally do, but can assess credibility and identify psychodynamics that could be crucial in the clarification of legal questions such as “welcomeness.” This article discusses the significance of pertinent data, such as a history of childhood sexual abuse, but emphasizes that such information does not necessarily invalidate the plaintiffs allegations. It also reviews the obstacles that can stand in the way of a complete psychiatric examination and thereby limit the forensic psychiatrist's ability to help the courts. Increased involvement by forensic psychiatrists could contribute to a more impartial evaluation of sexual harassment cases and help establish the distinction between valid claims and frivolous ones.
Promoting Help-Seeking Behavior for Urinary Incontinence

The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a combined primary care physician education and public awareness campaign about urinary incontinence. The campaign was designed to (a) trig ger help-seeking behavior in older adults with urine leakage problems and (b) encourage pri mary care providers to offer appropriate treatment for urinary incontinence (UI). Outcome measures included datafrom helpline callers and physician surveys before and after the two in terventions. Most callers who later sought care turned to their primary care physician. The me dian estimated number of patients presenting with UI in primary care doctor's offices changed from 9 per month to 11 per month, a change that was not statistically significant. Physicians'op timism for the potential gains from incontinence treatment increased.
An Evolutionist Visits the 43rd Annual Maize Genetics Conference

From modest roots of a few dozen maize geneticists sitting around a small room in the Allerton House in Illinois in the 1950s, the Maize Genetics Conference has grown this year to a less modest but still comfortable size of nearly 500 attendees, the largest maize meeting to date. It was held at the
Making SOA work in a healthcare company

Making SOA work in a large and diverse healthcare company is not just about bridging the gap between business and IT. It is also about bridging the gap between the technologies of yesterday, today and tomorrow. As Health Net has grown by acquiring other entities, we have acquired a landscape of diverse assets written with many languages, hosted on many platforms. These range from Java on WebLogic to .Net to RPG on iSeries to CICS on zSeries to COBOL on OpenVMS. Integrating these systems goes beyond simple business services. Successful integration ultimately requires elevating IT teams to the vision of a SOA enterprise as defined by an enterprise reference architecture. Educating our IT project teams in the fundamentals of SOA design and development has involved special approaches and a commitment to mentoring and continuous education in the enterprise. This discussion covers some of the challenges, successes, and lessons learned that we have encountered in bringing SOA to Health Net.
Acetylcholinesterase-based organophosphate nerve agent sensing photonic crystal

We developed a polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA) photonic crystal sensing material that senses the organophosphorus compound parathion at ultratrace concentrations in aqueous solutions. A periodic array of colloidal particles is embedded in a hydrogel network with a lattice spacing such that it Bragg diffracts visible light. The molecular recognition agent for the sensor is the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which binds organophosphorus compounds irreversibly, creating an anionic phosphonyl species. This charged species creates a Donnan potential, which swells the hydrogel network, which increases the embedded particle array lattice spacing and causes a red-shift in the wavelength of light diffracted. The magnitude of the diffraction red-shift is proportional to the amount of bound parathion. These AChE-PCCAs act as dosimeters for parathion since it irreversibly binds. Parathion concentrations as low as 4.26 fM are easily detected.
Effects of controlled antegrade pulmonary blood flow on cardiac function after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis.

Abstract Background Bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BCPA) has been used as an intermediate stage in the treatment of patients with single-ventricle physiology. Leaving additional antegrade pulmonary blood flow has been shown to improve postoperative arterial blood oxygen saturations; however, controversy continues over whether the potential increase in systemic venous pressure is detrimental. We studied the effects of controlled antegrade pulmonary blood flow on cardiac function in patients after BCPA. Methods From January 1993 to July 2000, 128 patients underwent BCPA. Mean age at operation was 6.2 ± 4 months (range 2 to 36 months). In group 1 (n = 72), restricted antegrade pulmonary blood flow was maintained through a native narrowed pulmonary valve or by adjustment of previously placed pulmonary artery band with the goal of maintaining the mean pulmonary artery pressure less than 16 mm Hg. In group 2 (n = 56), BCPA was the only source of pulmonary blood flow. Results One hospital death (0.8%) occurred. The mean pulmonary artery pressure at the end of the operation was 13 ± 2 mm Hg in group 1 compared with 12 ± 2 mm Hg in group 2, a difference that was not significant. Patients in group 1 had higher arterial oxygen saturations (84% ± 3% compared with 74% ± 3% in group 2, p p 10 days) or late chylothorax occurred in 4 patients from group 1 and 3 from group 2, a difference that was not significant. During a mean follow-up of 36 ± 10 months no late deaths occurred. The mean oxygen saturation remained higher in group 1, 80% ± 3% compared with 74% ± 4% in group 2, and the hematocrit was lower, at 38% ± 3% compared with 46% ± 4% ( p 2 /m 2 in group 1 (n = 40) and 188 ± 13 mm 2 /m 2 in group 2 (n = 28) ( p Conclusions Controlled antegrade pulmonary blood flow may have favorable effects on cardiac function for a selected group of patients and does not appear to have adverse effects on subsequent suitability for completion Fontan.
Fact or fiction--identifying the elusive multiple myeloma stem cell.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a debilitating disease of proliferating and malignant plasma cells that is currently incurable. The ability of monoclonal recurrence of disease suggests it might arise from a stem cell-like population capable of self-renewal. The difficulty to isolate the cancer stem-like cell in MM has introduced confusion toward this hypothesis. However, recent evidence has suggested that MM originates from the B cell lineage with memory-B cell like features, allowing for self-renewal of the progenitor-like status and differentiation to a monoclonal plasma cell population. Furthermore, this tumor-initiating cell uses signaling pathways and microenvironment similar to the hematopoietic stem cell, though hijacking these mechanisms to create and favor a more tumorigenic environment. The bone marrow niche allows for pertinent evasion, either through avoiding immunosurveillance or through direct interaction with the stroma, inducing quiescence and thus drug resistance. Understanding the interaction of the MM stem cell to the microenvironment and the mechanisms utilized by various stem cell-like populations to allow persistence and therapy-resistance can enable for better targeting of this cell population and potential eradication of the disease.
A Kinetic Approach to Magnetospheric Modeling

The earth's magnetosphere is caused by the interaction between the flowing solar wind and the earth's magnetic dipole, with the distorted magnetic field in the outer parts of the magnetosphere due to the current systems resulting from this interaction. It is surprising that even the conceptually simple problem of the collisionless interaction of a flowing plasma with a dipole magnetic field has not been solved. A kinetic approach is essential if one is to take into account the dispersion of particles with different energies and pitch angles and the fact that particles on different trajectories have different histories and may come from different sources. Solving the interaction problem involves finding the various types of possible trajectories, populating them with particles appropriately, and then treating the electric and magnetic fields self-consistently with the resulting particle densities and currents. This approach is illustrated by formulating a procedure for solving the collisionless interaction problem on open field lines in the case of a slowly flowing magnetized plasma interacting with a magnetic dipole.
The Monopsony Power of the Median Voter

This article attempts to establish a link between voting theory and price theory. The median voter is characterized as a monopsonist who sets a price for the winning vote in an election. As such, the median voter can extract rents from the political sector as a function of the price of substitute winning voters, which in turn will depend on the distribution of voter preferences.
A new realistic geometry spline Laplacian algorithm and its application to VEP

We have developed a new algorithm to estimate the surface Laplacian of the scalp potential on a realistic geometry scalp surface. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated by computer simulations. The algorithm was applied to study the scalp Laplacian maps of visual evoked potentials induced by pattern onset stimuli in a human subject. The present results indicate the excellent performance of the newly developed algorithm and its potential for application in imaging brain electrical activity.
Interferons and Ribavirin Effectively Inhibit Norwalk Virus Replication in Replicon-Bearing Cells

The development of effective therapies for noroviral gastroenteritis has been hampered by the absence of a cell culture system. Recently, we reported the generation of Norwalk virus (NV) replicon-bearing cells in BHK21 and Huh-7 cells and demonstrated that alpha interferon (IFN-α) effectively inhibited the replication of NV in these cells. In continuing studies for screening potential antinoroviral agents, we tested IFN-γ and ribavirin for their effects on NV replication in the cells. Like IFN-α, IFN-γ inhibited the replication of NV in the replicon-bearing cells, showing the reduction of the NV genome and proteins in a dose-dependent manner. The effective dose for reducing 50% (ED50) of the NV genome and protein was calculated to be approximately 40 units/ml. When ribavirin was applied to the cells, it effectively reduced the NV genome and protein with the ED50 calculated as approximately 40 μM. The combination of IFN-α and ribavirin showed additive effects on the inhibition of NV replication. With the addition of guanosine to the ribavirin treatment, moderately reversed antiviral effects were observed, suggesting that the ribavirin effect may be associated with the depletion of GTP in the cells. Sequencing analysis of the conserved polymerase regions of NV in the ribavirin-treated (100 μM) and nontreated groups showed that the mutation rates were similar and indicated that ribavirin did not induce catastrophic mutations. The NV replicon-bearing cells provide an excellent tool for screening potential antinoroviral agents, and our results indicated that IFNs and ribavirin may be good therapeutic options for noroviral gastroenteritis.
SOURCES AND DYNAMICS OF LARGE LOGS IN A TEMPERATE FLOODPLAIN RIVER

Large logs, important agents of biophysical heterogeneity in temperate floodplain rivers, have been virtually eliminated from modified systems. Our purpose was to quantify the sources and dynamics of large logs (≥1 m diameter) in the mainstem of a nearly pristine system: the Queets River, Washington, USA. Erosion of forests by the river supplies 0.40 logs·(100 m)−1·yr−1 to the channel. Most (72%) are new logs entering the river for the first time as the river undercuts mature fluvial terraces dominated by large conifers. Retrospective airphoto analyses demonstrate that, over 63 years, the Queets River recruits 95% of new logs from a riparian corridor extending 265 m laterally on both banks, mostly through channel meandering. However, input rates are patchy, with 10% of the valley length supplying 38% of the new logs. As the river moves laterally, remnant logs are left on channel surfaces that later develop riparian forests and reenter the river when those forests erode. Remnant logs lying on the floodplai...
Built-in self-test for programmable I/O buffers in FPGAs and SoCs

The first built-in self-test (BIST) approach for the programmable input/output (I/O) buffers in field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and configurable system-on-chip (SoC) implementations is presented. The I/O buffers are tested for their various modes of operation along with their associated programmable routing sources. A general BIST architecture, applicable to any FPGA or SoC with embedded FPGA core, is presented along with the capabilities and limitations of the approach. Experimental results are presented for BIST configurations developed for the I/O buffers in FPGAs including Atmel AT40K and Xilinx Virtex series as well as SoCs including Atmel AT94K series.
New Precursor Routes to Nanocrystalline Cubic/Hexagonal Gallium Nitride, GaN.

Two precursor routes culminating in bulk nanocrystalline gallium nitride materials are reported, with emphasis on the materials' XRD/crystalline features and photoluminescence (PL). First, the new polymeric gallium imide, {Ga(NH)3/2}n, can be converted to nanocrystalline, cubic/hexagonal GaN ranging in color from yellow to light gray. Second, a new route to gallazane, [H2GaNH2]x, from the combination of LiGaH4 and NH4X (X = Cl, Br) in Et2O is shown to result in a material that slowly converts to a polymeric solid via H2 and NH3 elimination-condensation pathways. Both the gallazane and the polymeric solid are pyrolyzed to dark gray nanocrystalline, phase-inhomogeneous GaN as above. Specific variations in the pyrolysis conditions enable some control over the particle nanosize and a degree of crystalline phase-inhomogeneity of the materials. These nanophase GaN materials have also been characterized by room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements. In general, the observed emission spectra are strongly dependent on pyrolysis temperature and typically exhibit weak defect yellow-green emission. While the as-prepared GaN does not exhibit band-edge PL, a brief hydrofluoric acid etch yields nanophase GaN exhibiting an intense blue-emitting PL spectrum with an emission maximum near 420 nm.
In vivo assessment of age-related brain iron differences by magnetic field correlation imaging.

Purpose: To assess a recently developed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called magnetic field correlation (MFC) imaging along with a conventional imaging method, the transverse relaxation rate (R2), for estimating age-related brain iron concentration in adolescents and adults. Brain region measures were compared with nonheme iron concentrations (CPM) based on a prior postmortem study. Materials and Methods: Asymmetric spin echo (ASE) images were acquired at 3T from 26 healthy individuals (16 adolescents, 10 adults). Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in areas in which age-related iron content was estimated postmortem: globus pallidus (GP), putamen (PUT), caudate nucleus (CN), thalamus (THL), and frontal white matter (FWM). Regression and group analyses were conducted on ROI means. Results: MFC and R2 displayed significant linear relationships to CPM when all regions were combined. Whereas MFC was significantly correlated with CPM for every individual region except FWM and detected significantly lower means in adolescents than adults for each region, R2 detected significant correlation and lower means for only PUT and CN. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that MFC is sensitive to brain iron in GM regions and detects age-related iron increases known to occur from adolescence to adulthood. MFC may be more sensitive than R2 to iron-related changes occurring within specific brain regions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:322–331. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
When Misperception Matters

This essay is an analysis of the implications of misperception—the inaccurate assessment by one actor of the other actor's preferences—in international relations. The author finds that misperception cannot affect the choice of an actor with a dominant strategy, although it can affect that actor's expectations as long as both actors are self-interested and seek to maximize their own payoffs. Misperception creates conflict only in a narrowly circumscribed range of situations, and even then the misperceived actor has no incentive to mask its true preferences. An actor who deceives does so in order to facilitate coordination through the other's misperception of its preferences, and thus to avoid conflict—not to create it. Three possible outcomes can occur when both actors misperceive, and in only one of the three does misperception cause conflict that would otherwise be avoidable. In a formal analysis of the limited set of situations that characterize international crises, misperception is found neither to create conflict nor to lead to the escalation of crisis into war.
Amorphous silicon and silicon germanium materials for high-efficiency triple-junction solar cells

In this paper, we report our recent progress in the amorphous silicon (a-Si)-based photovoltaic research program at The University of Toledo (UT). We have achieved the fabrication of (1) wide bandgap a-Si solar cells with an open-circuit voltage of 0.981 and a fill factor of 0.728 using high hydrogen dilution for the i-layer deposition, (2) mid bandgap a-SiGe solar cells having an open-circuit voltage of 0.815 and a fill factor of 0.65, (3) narrow bandgap a-SiGe solar cells with 9.17% initial efficiency, and (4) triple-junction, spectrum-splitting a-Si/a-SiGe/a-SiGe solar cells with 10.6% initial efficiency.
Oral administration of arabinogalactan affects immune status and fecal microbial populations in dogs.

Seven ileally cannulated dogs were randomly assigned to a control or arabinogalactan (AG) treatments in a 7 x 7 Latin square design to evaluate effects of oral AG administration on nutritional and immunological characteristics. Arabinogalactan treatments included a high (1.65 g/d) and low (0.55 g/d) dose of AG100, AG1000 or AG3000 provided via gelatin capsules. Arabinogalactan forms differed in purification procedures. Each period consisted of a 6-d adaptation followed by a 4-d collection. Blood and fresh fecal samples were collected on d 10 of each period. Fecal score increased (P 0.05) serum immunoglobulin G, M or A concentrations. Specific forms and doses of AG increased white blood cell, neutropil and eosinophil concentrations. Arabinogalactan is a unique dietary fiber that affects the digestive physiology and immunological characteristics of dogs.
Towards a Constraint-Based Engineering Framework for AlgorithmDesign and Application

The search for programming frameworks that provide the formalism that can help organize literally thousands of algorithmic ideas and facilitate their applications to new problems is an important research direction in computer science. That is, we are seeking to develop a practical programming environment that allows the user to state a family of problems, and subsequently systematically apply a collection of established algorithmic techniques to individual problems correctly. In this note we informally discuss constraint networks as a vehicle that provides a general framework for the synthesis, abstraction and application of problem-specific algorithms.
Initiation of DNA Synthesis and Progression through the S Period

Cell reproduction has three major components: growth, replication of the genetic apparatus, and cell division. These components are closely integrated with one another, but the molecular interactions that are responsible for integration are still poorly understood. Integration is obviously essential to the smooth progression of a cell cycle during which, on the average, the cell alternately doubles in size and is halved by cell division, and the chromosomes replicate and distribute to daughter nuclei coordinately with division of the cytoplasm.
Synthesis and physicochemical and immunological characterization of pneumococcus type 12F polysaccharide-diphtheria toxoid conjugates

A scheme for the synthesis and purification of conjugates, composed of the type 12F capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pn12F) and diphtheria toxoid, is described. The scheme is a modification of that described previously for the Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi, a linear homopolymer of N-acetylgalactoseaminouronic acid (S. C. Szu, A. L. Stone, J. D. Robbins, R. Schneerson, and J. B. Robbins, J. Exp. Med. 166:1510-1524, 1986). Pn12F is a branched-chain copolymer composed of a hexasaccharide repeating unit containing an aminouronic acid, N-acetylmannoseaminouronic acid (K. Leontein, B. Lindberg, and J. Lonngren, Can. J. Chem. 59:2081-2085, 1981). Sulfhydryl groups were introduced into Pn12F by forming an amide bond between cystamine and carboxyl groups of N-acetylmannoseaminouronic acid in the presence of a carbodiimide. The disulfide moiety of cystamine was reduced to form the cysteamine derivative of Pn12F which was, in turn, covalently bound to diphtheria toxoid by using the heterobifunctional linker N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridylthio)propionate. Unbound, high-molecular-weight Pn12F was removed from the conjugate by hydrophobic interaction chromatography through octyl Sepharose by using n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as the eluent. In young outbred mice, Pn12F did not elicit detectable serum antibodies. Pn12F-diphtheria toxoid, in contrast, elicited antibodies after two injections and had T-cell-dependent properties as evidenced by a response to priming and by its ability to elicit booster responses. This scheme seems applicable to the synthesis of conjugates with other capsular polysaccharides containing aminouronic acids. Clinical evaluation of Pn12F-diphtheria toxoid conjugates in healthy and in immunocompromised hosts is planned.
An Intelligent Methodology for RealTime Adaptive Mode Transitioning and Limit Avoidance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Real-Time Adaptation of Mode Transition Controllers Hover to Forward Flight Example Limit Detection and Limit Avoidance Adaptive Limit Detection Automatic Limit Avoidance for UAVs Performance Assessment and Implementation Issues Conclusion References ]]>
Equestrian trauma: injury patterns vary among age groups

Patients with equestrian injuries were identified in the trauma registry from 2004 to 2007. We a priori divided patients into three groups: 0 to 18 years, 19 to 49 years, and 50 years old or older. There were 284 patients identified with equestrian-related trauma. Injury Severity Score for the three major age categories 0 to 18 years, 19 to 49 years, and 50 years or older, were 3.47, 5.09, and 6.27, respectively. The most common body region injured among all patients was the head (26.1%). The most common injuries by age group were: 0 to 18 years, upper extremity fractures; 19 to 49 year olds, concussions; and 50 years or older, rib fractures. Significant differences were observed among the three age groups in terms of percent of patients with rib fractures: percent of patients with rib fractures was 2, 8, and 22 per cent in age groups 0 to 18, 19 to 49, and 50 years or older, respectively. We found different patterns of injuries associated with equestrian accidents by age. Head injuries were commonly seen among participants in equestrian activities and helmet use should be promoted to minimize the severity of closed head injuries. Injury patterns also seem to vary among the various age groups that ride horses. This information could be used to better target injury prevention efforts among these patients.
Margarete Bieber, Laocoon, the Influence of the Group since its Rediscovery

(1943). Margarete Bieber, Laocoon, the Influence of the Group since its Rediscovery. The Art Bulletin: Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 378-380.
Multidimensional wave fronts propagation along the beams associated with thermodynamic model of a rotating detonation engine

Abstract The main purpose here is to develop an analytic approach for investigating the wave front propagation on a surface of a cylinder that can be used as a descriptor of a detonation engine. The analysis is based on a weakly nonlinear approximated gas dynamic equations with incorporated approximation of the Korobeinikov’s chemical reaction model that are used to describe the two-dimensional detonation field on a surface of a two-dimensional cylindrical chamber without thickness. We found that the wave fronts can be expressed analytically in explicit form for special classes of flow (e.g. isentropic gas flow). In more general cases, the dynamics of wave fronts can still be determined explicitly provided that the wave front is known at initial time and the exact solution is either known a priori, e.g. from experimental or numerical analysis.