cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validating the performance of occupancy models for estimating habitat use and predicting the distribution of highly-mobile species: A case study using the American black bear

Abstract Occupancy models have become a valuable tool for estimating wildlife-habitat relationships and for predicting species distributions. Highly-mobile species often violate the assumption that sampling units are geographically closed shifting the probability of occupancy to be interpreted as the probability of use. We used occupancy models, in conjunction with noninvasive sampling, to estimate habitat use and predict the distribution of a highly-mobile carnivore, the American black bear (Ursus americanus) in New Mexico, USA. The top model indicated that black bears use areas with higher primary productivity and fewer roads. The predictive performance of such models is rarely validated with independent data, so we validated our model predictions with 2-independent datasets. We first assessed the correlation between predicted and observed habitat use for 28 telemetry-collared bears in the Jemez Mountains. Predicted habitat use was positively correlated with observed use for all 3 years (2012: ρ = 0.81; 2013: ρ = 0.87; 2014: ρ = 0.90). We then predicted the probability of use within a cell where a bear mortality was documented using 2043 mortality locations from sport harvest, depredation, and vehicle collisions. The probability of habitat use at a mortality location was also positively correlated with observed use by the species (2012: ρ = 0.74; 2013: ρ = 0.89; 2014: ρ = 0.93). Our validation procedure supports the notion that occupancy models can be an effective tool for estimating habitat use and predicting the distribution of highly-mobile species when the assumption of geographic closure has been violated. Our findings may be of interest to studies that are estimating habitat use for highly-mobile species that are secretive or rare, difficult to capture, or expensive to monitor with other more intensive methods.
Asymmetrically primed selective amplification/temperature shift fluorescence polymerase chain reaction to detect the hemoglobin Constant Spring mutation.

Hemoglobin (Hb) Constant Spring is an alpha-thalassemic hemoglobinopathy that is a major cause of severe alpha-thalassemia in Southeast Asians. The difficulty of diagnosing Hb Constant Spring using standard electrophoretic methods has led to interest in DNA-dependent diagnostic methods. The methods developed have had to contend with the high degree of homology of the alpha 2-globin gene (the site of the Hb Constant Spring mutation) and the alpha 1-globin gene. We have developed a single reaction polymerase chain reaction-based method that uses asymmetric priming and a temperature shift to accomplish dual ends, selective amplification of alpha 2 but not alpha 1 DNA and discrimination of normal and Hb Constant Spring alpha 2 genes by allele- specific fluorescence polymerase chain reaction. Advantages of this method over previous approaches include avoiding radioisotopes, precluding the need for electrophoresis, and serving as its own control for successful amplification. It is readily applicable to routine diagnosis, population screening, and prenatal diagnosis.
I will sleep when I am dead? Sleep and self-employment

Anecdotal evidence suggests that entrepreneurs report fewer hours of sleep. However, in samples of 12,086 individuals in the 2012 and 2014 cross-sections of The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and 47,851 individuals in the 2013–2016 National Health Interview Sample cross-sections, our results indicate that self-employed individuals report more sleep. The results in these two samples further show that psychological distress mediates the relationship between self-employment and lower self-reported sleep time and poorer sleep quality. In the third sample of 7714 individuals in waves 1 and 4 of the UK Household Longitudinal Survey, self-employed individuals reporting increase in sleep from wave 1 to wave 4 also reported a very small increase in monthly gross income, indicating limited, if any, gains to income from increasing sleep hours.
Geographic surveillance of community associated MRSA infections in children using electronic health record data

Community- associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) cause serious infections and rates continue to rise worldwide. Use of geocoded electronic health record (EHR) data to prevent spread of disease is limited in health service research. We demonstrate how geocoded EHR and spatial analyses can be used to identify risks for CA-MRSA in children, which are tied to place-based determinants and would not be uncovered using traditional EHR data analyses. An epidemiology study was conducted on children from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2010 who were treated for Staphylococcus aureus infections. A generalized estimated equations (GEE) model was developed and crude and adjusted odds ratios were based on S. aureus risks. We measured the risk of S. aureus as standardized incidence ratios (SIR) calculated within aggregated US 2010 Census tracts called spatially adaptive filters, and then created maps that differentiate the geographic patterns of antibiotic resistant and non-resistant forms of S. aureus. CA-MRSA rates increased at higher rates compared to non-resistant forms, p = 0.01. Children with no or public health insurance had higher odds of CA-MRSA infection. Black children were almost 1.5 times as likely as white children to have CA-MRSA infections (aOR 95% CI 1.44,1.75, p < 0.0001); this finding persisted at the block group level (p < 0.001) along with household crowding (p < 0.001). The youngest category of age (< 4 years) also had increased risk for CA-MRSA (aOR 1.65, 95%CI 1.48, 1.83, p < 0.0001). CA-MRSA encompasses larger areas with higher SIRs compared to non-resistant forms and were found in block groups with higher proportion of blacks (r = 0.517, p < 0.001), younger age (r = 0.137, p < 0.001), and crowding (r = 0.320, p < 0.001). In the Atlanta MSA, the risk for CA-MRSA is associated with neighborhood-level measures of racial composition, household crowding, and age of children. Neighborhoods which have higher proportion of blacks, household crowding, and children < 4 years of age are at greatest risk. Understanding spatial relationship at a community level and how it relates to risks for antibiotic resistant infections is important to combat the growing numbers and spread of such infections like CA-MRSA.
Blending containers and virtual machines: a study of firecracker and gVisor

With serverless computing, providers deploy application code and manage resource allocation dynamically, eliminating infrastructure management from application development. Serverless providers have a variety of virtualization platforms to choose from for isolating functions, ranging from native Linux processes to Linux containers to lightweight isolation platforms, such as Google gVisor [7] and AWS Firecracker [5]. These platforms form a spectrum as they move functionality out of the host kernel and into an isolated guest environment. For example, gVisor handles many system calls in a user-mode Sentry process while Firecracker runs a full guest operating system in each microVM. A common theme across these platforms are the twin goals of strong isolation and high performance. In this paper, we perform a comparative study of Linux containers (LXC), gVisor secure containers, and Firecracker microVMs to understand how they use Linux kernel services differently: how much does their use of host kernel functionality vary? We also evaluate the performance costs of the designs with a series of microbenchmarks targeting different kernel subsystems. Our results show that despite moving much functionality out of the kernel, both Firecracker and gVisor execute substantially more kernel code than native Linux. gVisor and Linux containers execute substantially the same code, although with different frequency.
Genetic Science and the Future of American War-Fighters

In 2017, the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) budgeted 100-million-dollars to fund gene-editing technology. While much of the research in this field has focused on therapeutic innovation and disease prevention, the military is interested in how this technology can make better soldiers. Recent reports speculate that this technology could enable soldiers to run at super-human speeds, carry enormous weight, live off their fat stores, and go without sleep. While this enhancement would inevitably lead to increased survivability in war, there are significant and warranted ethical concerns. This paper will provide a brief overview of genetic enhancement technology focusing on the Department of Defense (DoD) priorities and interests in the field. The analysis will specifically concentrate on an under-discussed element concerning the ethical permissibility of genetic enhancement—its precarious position at the intersection of civilian and military spheres. Will civilians have access to the same types of genetic enhancement, or will it be limited to military use? Who owns the enhancements—the military or the individual service-member? If these enhancements are permanent, how will the service-member function in society after separation from the military?
The Effects of Online Assignments and Weekly Deadlines on Student Outcomes in a Macroeconomics Course

This study examined how weekly, externally set deadlines affected the completion of adaptive learning assignments and student outcomes in an introductory macroeconomics course. We imposed different...
Socioecological soil restoration in urban cultural landscapes

Abstract Soil is the foundational brown infrastructure of urbanized landscapes that supports diverse social-ecological goals. However, many aspects of urbanization degrade soils in ways that reduce a landscape’s abilities to provide ecosystem services. How can urban soils be improved to provide more and better ecosystem services and thus improve the well-being of urban residents? A holistic approach to urban soil restoration seeks to improve urban soils using integrated socioecological and landscape-scale approaches that embrace diverse outcomes including novel ecosystems and many sociocultural goals. To achieve successful urban soil restoration, research has shown that methods such as decompaction, organic matter addition, manufacturing soils (e.g., for green roofs and street trees), and managing biodiversity can improve the quality of urban soils and their ecosystem services. Because urban soils exist in cultural landscapes, successfully restoring them requires considering many sociocultural variables that impact their histories and the motivations and limitations for restoring them. The future of urban soil restoration will be enhanced by transdisciplinary research and practices, in which restorationists collaborate with diverse stakeholders in urban planning, and education efforts that emphasize the value of urban soils for social-ecological sustainability.
Cystic nephroma with renal vein thrombus in a child with DICER1 mutation: A case report

Venous tumor thrombus is a known manifestation of Wilms’ tumors in a minority of cases but has not been previously described in association with cystic nephroma. We report an original case of a histologically-benign cystic nephroma presenting with venous tumor thrombus extending to the inferior vena cava. The tumor thrombus was not detected by preoperative Doppler ultrasound. The patient was successfully treated with radical nephrectomy, tumor thrombectomy, and IVC closure. Postoperatively, the patient underwent genetic testing which revealed a DICER1 mutation—known to predispose affected individuals to a variety of benign and malignant tumors—and requires intensive surveillance for associated conditions.
A Magnetic ! Dynamo in Active Galactic Nuclei Disks: II. Magnetic Field Generation, Theories and Simulations

It is shown that a dynamo can operate in an Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) accretion disk due to the Keplerian shear and due to the helical motions of expanding and twisting plumes of plasma heated by many star passages through the disk. Each plume rotates a fraction of the toroidal flux into poloidal flux, always in the same direction, through a finite angle, and proportional to its diameter. The predicted growth rate of poloidal magnetic flux, based upon two analytic approaches and numerical simulations, leads to a rapid exponentiation of a seed field, ∼ 0.1 to ∼ 0.01 per Keplerian period of the inner part of the disk. The initial value of the seed field may therefore be arbitrarily small yet reach, through dynamo gain, saturation very early in the disk history. Because of tidal disruption of stars close to the black hole, the maximum growth rate occurs at a radius of about 100 gravitational radii from the central object. The generated mean magnetic field, a quadrupole field, has predominantly even parity so that the radial component does not reverse sign across the midplane. The linear growth is predicted to be the same by each of the following three theoretical analyses: the flux conversion model, the mean field approach, and numerical modeling. The common feature is the conducting fluid flow, considered in companion Paper I (Pariev & Colgate 2006) where two coherent large scale flows occur naturally: the differential winding of Keplerian motion and differential rotation of expanding plumes.
The Utility of GIS for Identifying Areas of Recreation Conflict for Targeted Interpretive Messaging

Past research has extensively studied interpretive messaging and visitor conflict within parks and protected areas. However, comprehensive understanding of how to identify trailside interpretive si...
General spline filters for discontinuous Galerkin solutions

The discontinuous Galerkin (dG) method outputs a sequence of polynomial pieces. Post-processing the sequence by Smoothness-Increasing Accuracy-Conserving (SIAC) convolution not only increases the smoothness of the sequence but can also improve its accuracy and yield superconvergence. SIAC convolution is considered optimal if the SIAC kernels, in the form of a linear combination of B-splines of degree d , reproduce polynomials of degree 2 d . This paper derives simple formulas for computing the optimal SIAC spline coefficients for the general case including non-uniform knots.
Alphavirus Infection of the CNS: Entry, Dissemination, and Neurodegeneration

Alphaviruses most often associated with neuroinvasive disease are limited to the Americas and include strains of EEEV, VEEV, and WEEV. The process of alphavirus entry into the CNS of infected vertebrates following challenge is not well-understood. It is thought that virus entry into the CNS depends on the inoculation route. It is well-established that olfactory sensory neurons provide access to the CNS following challenge with airborne virus. However, less knowledge is available regarding virus entry into the CNS following peripheral, non-olfactory infection, which appears to rely on some form of hematogenous spread. We sought to determine the precise route of CNS entry following footpad inoculation by using a combination of in vivo/ex vivo bioluminescence imaging and traditional histological examination methods. We found a consistent pattern in the spatiotemporal distribution of virus among the imaged brains, none of which involved the olfactory bulb. Extending these studies by performing histological analysis on the imaged tissues, led to the finding that CNS entry by WEEV likely occurs in areas of the CNS where the blood-brain barrier is naturally absent. These areas include the hypothalamus, the subfornical organ, the pineal gland, and the area postrema. Importantly, these results reveal a previously unrecognized method of alphavirus entry into the CNS.
Using industry-style software engineering and project management in a group project

This paper describes our approach for conducting a group project in a software engineering course. We organize students into an actual software development company and conduct activities that mimic real-world operations in that company. We have applied this approach to our group projects for the past four years with excellent results.
Socio-Ecological Webs and Sites of Sociality:Levins’ Strategy of Model Building Revisited

This essay extends Levins’ 1966 analysis of model building in ecology and evolutionary biology. A model, as the product of modeling, might be valued according to its correspondence to reality. Yet Levins’ emphasis on provisionality and change redirects attention to the processes of modeling, through which scientists select and generate their problems, define their categories, collect their data, compare competing models, and present their findings. I identify several points where decisions are required that are not determined by nature. This invites examination of the social considerations modelers are reacting to at the “sites of sociality”. Modelers must weave “socio-ecological webs” so that the models can be seen to represent their subject matter at the same time as the modelers secure the support of colleagues, collaborators and institutions, and enjoin others to act upon their conclusions. Not only do theory justification and theory generation merge, but the joint project becomes simultaneously philosophical and sociological.
Phylogeny of Diplonema ambulator (Larsen and Patterson): 1. Homologies of the flagellar apparatus

Summary The ultrastructure of the flagellar apparatus of Diplonema ambulator was determined to investigate the phylogenetic placement of this genus. Two flagella insert into a pocket and bear distal and proximal transitional plates. The basal bodies are linked by a connecting fiber and are associated with three microtubular roots. A three-membered dorsal root attaches to the dorsal basal body and ascends along the flagellar pocket. An intermediate root is composed of five microtubules where it attaches to the ventral basal body (Vb). As it ascends along the flagellar pocket, two additional microtubules become associated, producing a 6 + 1 configuration. A four-membered ventral root attaches laterally to the Vb and extends into the cytoplasm. The flagellar pocket is lined on one side by an independent band of microtubules which are reminiscent of the bodonid MTR. The presence of three asymmetrically arranged microtubular roots, transitional plates similar to those in the flagella of kinetoplastids, and an MTR-like band further support the relationship of Diplonema with the Euglenozoa. However, the absence of paraxonemal rods and flagellar hairs as well as the unique mitotic chromosome behavior and peculiar mitochondrial cristae structure suggest that Diplonema may have undergone substantial independent evolution since its point of divergence.
ASL and ES delivering a complete 2-yr engineering science curriculum in asynchronous mode

Summary form only given. The Engineering Science (ES) Department at Broome Community College (BCC) studied implementation of its entire curriculum in the asynchronous learning (ASL) mode while participating in the National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored Beta Coalition during the 1997-98 academic year. As a result, five required degree courses and one elective course are being offered in the Fall 1998 semester using the SUNY Learning Network (SLN) as its delivery system. The five required courses are Engineering Statics, Introduction to Microprocessors, Calculus-based Physics I and II, and Calculus I. The courses are imbedded with specific notation that is not usually supported with a traditional word processors, have sophisticated three dimensional applications or computer programming codes, and represent "problem solving" versus discussion and paper-oriented coursework. In addition, the Physics and Microprocessor courses are "laboratory" courses, component that has not usually been addressed with traditional ASL course formats. The development and delivery of these courses is discussed as well as an overview of each course as seen by the Internet user. The Engineering Science curriculum prepares students for transfer into junior level upper division courses at four year engineering schools across the country.
The Devil's in the Details for Delusional Claims

This article discusses how judges should handle delusional claims in their judicial opinions.
Thermodynamics of the solid solution of hydrogen in β-titanium alloys: β-TiMo and β-TiRe☆

Abstract The solid solution of hydrogen has been investigated in a series of random β-TiMo alloys ranging from 0–65 atom % Mo via determination of pressure-composition-temperature relationships; additionally, one ( β- Ti Re alloy ( Ti 37 atom % Re) was investigated. The thermodynamic parameters of hydrogen solution were generated from the p - c - T data. The relative partial molar enthalpy at infinite dilution, Δ H H o , exhibited by β- Ti Mo alloys were adjusted to conditions of fixed volume, that of pure β-Ti. It was found that variations in the resulting Δ E H o correlated roughly with variations in the electron density of states at the Fermi level. The relative partial molar entropy at infinite dilution was found to vary linearly with Mo content and it is suggested that this trend reflects a blocking of potentially available interstitial sites to hydrogen occupation by Mo atoms at small hydrogen contents. Examination of the excess free energy vs hydrogen content relationships indicates that effects resulting from accommodation of hydrogen electrons by the metal conduction band are significant even at small hydrogen contents in the Ti Mo alloys; thus, explicit determination of the H-H interaction is not possible in the alloys. By contrast, electronic effects in pure β-Ti are negligible at small H M and under fixed volume conditions, the H-H interactions in β-Ti are attractive.
An Algorithm for Locating Non-Overlapping Regions of Maximum Alignment Score

In this paper we present an O(N2log2N) algorithm for finding the two non-overlapping substrings of a given string of length N which have the highest-scoring alignment between them. This significantly improves the previously best known bound of O(N3) for the worst-case complexity of this problem. One of the central ideas in the design of this algorithm is that of partitioning a matrix into pieces in such a way that all submatrices of interest for this problem can be put together as the union of very few of these pieces. Other ideas include the use of candidate-lists, an application of the ideas of Apostolico et al. [1] to our problem domain, and divide and conquer techniques.
Crevicular tissues as donor tissue for free gingival grafts. Limited human histologic observations.

Free gingiva grafts were placed into six facial sites having minimal width of attached gingiva in three adult patients. The donor tissue consisted of autogenous pocket lining which was surgically excised immediately prior to graft placement. Thus, the graft contained crevicular epithelium and adjacent corium which was placed into the recipient bed with the crevicular epithelium facing the oral environment. Three months post-operatively, all grafts appeared to have taken clinically. At this time, a slit biopsy was obtained from the graft site which included portions of the gingival margin and attached gingiva. Histologically, the graft area appeared different from attached gingiva. The epithelium showed evidence of parakeratinization. However, the cells appeared enlarged, the cellular layers less distinct and the entire epithelium was widened. The corium seemed less well organized than normally seen in attached gingiva. Since the donor tissue consisted of crevicular epithelium and adjacent corium, it would appear that the altered environment into which this tissue was placed affected its normal morphology.
Genetic transformation in Lactobacillus sp. strain 100-33 of the capacity to colonize the nonsecreting gastric epithelium in mice.

Abstract Lactobacillus isolates able to colonize the surfaces of the nonsecreting epithelia in the stomachs of monoassociated ex-germfree mice were derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus 100-33. Strain 100-33 was originally isolated from pig feces and is unable to colonize the murine gastric epithelium. In experiments involving attempts genetically to transform the capacity to colonize the epithelium, cells of strain 100-33 were treated with muralytic enzymes and mixed with polyethylene glycol and genomic or plasmid DNA extracted from Lactobacillus fermentum RI. Strain RI was originally isolated from a conventional mouse and has the capacity to colonize the nonsecreting gastric epithelium. The mixtures containing cells, polyethylene glycol, and DNA were plated on a regeneration medium. After overnight incubation, the cells were washed from the plates and introduced by gastric gavage into germfree mice. Only mice that received regenerated 100-33 cells previously mixed with genomic DNA from strain RI had layers of gram-positive bacteria on the keratinized epithelia of their stomachs. Six isolates cultured from the washed gastric tissues of these animals were characterized. When a culture of each or a pool of cultures of the six were orally administered to germfree mice, layers of gram-positive bacterial cells were visible on the keratinized gastric epithelia of the animals within 1 to 3 weeks. Cells of all six, but not of strain 100-33, reacted with antibody made in rabbits to L. fermentum RI cells, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nevertheless, all six had fermentation profiles identical to that of strain 100-33.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acute Effects of a Therapeutic Mobility Device on Physical Activity and Heart Rate in Children with Down Syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this feasibility study was to provide an opportunity to increase physical activity (PA) and heart rate (HR) for children with Down syndrome (DS) during unstructured group exercise utilizing a riding device called the Power Pumper®. Method: Twenty-four children aged 5 to 7 years old participated in this case-control study, including 12 children with DS and 12 children without DS. Those without DS participated as age-matched controls. A 30-min unstructured PA session utilizing the Power Pumper was provided to both groups on 2 occasions. HR and PA were measured at baseline and during both sessions. Results: For children with DS, findings revealed a statistically significant increase in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), F(1, 15) = 16.503, p < .010, ES = 0.76, and a nonsignificant increase in HR (ES = 0.41) when comparing exercise session performance to baseline. For children without DS, findings revealed statistically significant increases in time spent in MVPA, F(1, 15) = ...
Computer automated non-invasive arterial pressure measurement

A computer automated system for the noninvasive measurement of systematic arterial pressure of the rabbit is reported. Diastolic and systolic pressures are determined by the temporal coincidence between the value of an externally applied pressure ramp and the digitally processed signal representative of the time varying transmission of light through the artery under compression. This system allows for the rapid, noninvasive and repeated measurement of arterial pressures which have previously been difficult to obtain, especially in chronic animal studies lasting many months. >
High power transfer density and high efficiency 100 MHz capacitive wireless power transfer system

This paper introduces a very high frequency (VHF) capacitive wireless power transfer architecture capable of achieving very high power transfer densities and high efficiencies. High power density is achieved using an operating frequency of 100 MHz and through appropriate design of matching networks. High efficiency is achieved using a custom designed half-bridge GaN chip with integrated gate drivers. To validate performance of the proposed architecture, a prototype capacitive wireless power transfer system is built and tested. Experimental results demonstrate that the system transfers 2.5 W of power across a 1 pF capacitive interface at a very high power transfer density of 1.1 W/mm2, at close to 90% efficiency.
Marginal stability and chaos in coupled faults modeled by nonlinear circuits.

Studies of slider-block systems, used for decades to model the interactions between geological fault segments, have been mostly theoretical due to the difficulty in producing well-controlled mechanical systems which mimic these models' dynamics. We present here an experimental study of the dynamics of two elastically coupled slider blocks, using an electronic circuit with highly nonlinear load-unload elements. Unlike earlier computer simulations, a nominally symmetric circuit exhibits several alternating periodic and chaotic solutions as a function of the coupling parameter, emphasizing the importance of experimental studies in understanding this model.
Biometallic Nano-Structures: A Thousand-Fold Fluorescence Enhancement with Nanopetals

Although, metal nanoparticles have been shown to increase emission fluorescence of molecules due to the propagation of electron density waves, i.e. surface plasmons, at the interface between the metal and substrate, biometallic nanostructures yield a higher emission enhancement and can be suitable for measuring cell surfaces at the nano scale. We have developed a method to attain bimetallic structures on the surface of memory polymers in order to achieve sharp bi-layered uniaxial and biaxial nanopetals. The sharp edges of the nanopetals exhibit remarkable increase of emission intensity of fluorescent molecules. We observe several thousand fold increase in intensity at the edges or “hotspots” of both uniaxial and biaxial nanopetals. The fluorescence intensities observed at the hotspots are brief bursts of intensity as the molecules diffuse through the structures. These bursts are below the resolution limit of our optics and possibly be due to single molecular emission. The intensity of the bursts increases non-linearly with increase laser intensity suggesting that the events may be attributable to stimulated emission, excited-state absorption, or saturation intensity dependent 2-photon emission cross-section. We also show a decrease in the excited-state lifetime of the fluorescence particles, fluorescein, revealing strong plasmonic interactions. Our findings reveal an ultra-sensitive and novel technique using bimetallic nanopetals to enhance fluorescence detection.
Hairpin Loop Structure at the Termini of the Chlorella Virus PBCV-1 Genome

The termini of the chlorella virus PBCV-1 330-kb dsDNA genome consist of 35-nucleotide-long, incompletely base-paired, covalently closed hairpin loops that exist in one of two forms. The two forms are complementary when the 35 nucleotide sequences are inverted with respect to one another (flip and flop). Each hairpin loop structure is followed by an identical 2221-bp inverted repeat sequence after which the DNA sequence diverges. The strategy for cloning the PBCV-1 DNA hairpin ends may be useful for cloning other hairpin termini.
The effects of epoxy shrinkage on the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility Technology Mirror Assembly

A method is shown analytically which reduces the effects of epoxy shrinkage for an ultra-high precision X-ray telescope to within the system error budget. The three-dimensional shrinkage effects are discussed with reference to this telescope. The results of the analysis point to the use of an interrupted rather than continuous bond line as the best solution. Discussion of the finite element modelling techniques is included.
The ethos of language acts in joinville’s vie de saint louis

In consideration of the attention that Jean de Joinville calls to moral qualities associated with language production, the essay attempts to determine the ethical character and value attached to the language acts he and others perform in La vie de saint Louis. As used here, “language act” refers to the communicative import of language production within a defined social context and to interactions among ethical valuation, rhetoric, and culture. The acts under examination include several types of rhetorical moves and narrative modes, such as testimony, praise and blame, exempla, the narrator’s silence in places where one might expect ethical valuation, and his self-representation as a teacher of ethics and, also, a trustworthy judge of moral value, particularly of others’ words. Moral correction plays a major part in the narrative’s language acts. The manner in which Joinville points to St. Louis’s good words and deeds – and no less prominently, his own – as models indicates his will to correct the then king and kingdom’s misguided ways.
Analysis of zolone insecticide--acaricide on grapes.

We report here an analytical procedureinvolving modifications designed to overcome problems encountered in the extraction and detection steps when the electron capture method was employed. The method, for Zolone residues in grapes, involves extraction of the crop with chloroforms cleanup of the extract on a florisil column, and determination by a tritium electron capture GLC system modified to prevent condensation of Zolone and coextractives of similar low volatility in the detector cell. Acceptable recoveries (80-96%) are demonstrated at the 1.0 and 0.i ppm fortification levels; the latter value approaches the limit of detectability. In addition, the response of Zolone standards to the sulfur and halide microcoulometric GLC detectors is included as possible alternates for specific determination. Equipment
What the Future Holds for the Study of Saccades

Here we review the state of the art using saccadic eye movements as windows to the function of the normal brain and of the abnormal brain plagued by disease or trauma. By combining sophisticated behavioral paradigms with rigorous mathematical analysis and the latest imaging techniques one can use saccades as biomarkers of the highest level decision making to the lowest level basic machinery that generates premotor saccade commands. As technology advances saccades will become even more useful as immediate monitors of the state of the brain in disease and trauma and as a way to evaluate therapies.
Wavelet-compressed image retrieval using successive approximation quantization (SAQ) features

ABSTRACT An integrated wavelet-based image storage and indexing system is proposed in this research. Indexing featuresof consideration contains the color, brightness, texture, and spatial information of images. These features can be naturally extracted during the successive approximation quantization (SAQ) stage of the wavelet compression process. Extensive experimental results are performed to demonstrate the retrieval performance of the new approach. Keywords : content-based retrieval, successive approximation quantization , wavelet indexing, compression. 1 INTRODUCTION Storage and retrieval are two fundamental issues in the management of a large image database. These two issues have often been treated separately. Traditional storage techniques are designed primarily for coding efficiency including bit rates, quality distortion, computational complexity, and functionality, etc. Issues on data browsing, searching and retrieval are not of concern. On the other hand, retrieval techniques aim at the extraction of distinctive
Approach to treating cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations varies widely across US CF care centers.

There is no standard definition of a CF pulmonary exacerbation universally accepted by clinicians. We aimed to investigate the variability of clinical practice among US CF clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of exacerbations. Using clinical vignettes, we examined if variation in the identification and treatment of CF exacerbations is common, if practice patterns differ between CF care centers and what clinical factors determine treatment. Twenty-eight clinical cases were developed by varying five clinical factors. Participants were given four options for treatment of the patient described in each vignette. Cases were sent via email to a convenience sample of 112 CF clinicians from 13 US CF centers, with 109 clinicians participating (97.3%). 2,792 of the 3,052 cases received a response (91.5%). ANOVA demonstrated variation in rater scores was explained by case scenario and by care center (P < 0.0001). Examining the frequency of each treatment strategy demonstrated no absolute treatment consensus for any given scenario and variability within and between care centers. Direct logistic regression revealed that systemic symptoms (OR = 5.95), decreased O2 saturation (OR = 4.99) and decreased FEV1 (OR = 3.78) had a greater effects on the decision to treat a case with IV antibiotics than increased cough/sputum (OR = 2.19) and crackles present on physical examination (OR = 2.10). Similar findings were demonstrated with a cluster analysis. There was surprising variation in the identification and treatment of pulmonary exacerbations by CF clinicians. Variation was present between CF Centers, within each CF center and at the individual clinician level. This study provides additional evidence for the need of a standard definition for a CF pulmonary exacerbation. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:870–881. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Prevention and Management of Surgical Pain in Cattle

Management of pain continues to be an important consideration in livestock on which surgical procedures are performed. A balance must be achieved between the need to mitigate discomfort and the economic constraints of the production enterprise. Moral and ethical dilemmas have increased among consumers and these concerns have stimulated interest to reexamine the methods used to achieve the shared goals of humane production of safe, affordable animal products for human consumption. This article discusses drug and anesthetic protocols for field surgery of cattle, including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, opioids, local and regional anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, and electroacupuncture.
The Regularity of the Eta Function for Perturbations of Order -(dim X ) of the Atiyah-Patodi-Singer Boundary Problem

Let X be a compact n-dimensional Riemannian manifold with boundary Y and D a Dirac type operator on X. We prove the regularity of the eta function at s = 0 for a (−n)-th order perturbed Atiyah-Pato...
A novel readout concept for multianode photomultiplier tubes with pad matrix anode layout

Abstract We have developed a new analog readout concept for multianode photomultiplier tubes with a pad matrix anode layout. This new readout technique is the result of a modification of a technique previously developed at the Detector Group of Jefferson Lab, (V. Popov, US patent No: 6,747,263 B1) [V. Popov, S. Majewski, A.G. Weisenberger, Readout Electronics for Multianode Photomultiplier Tubes with Pad Matrix Anode Layout, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, IEEE 2003 Medical Imaging Conference Record, November 2003]. The new analog readout circuit provides the same analog conversion of matrix 2-D output into X and Y projective output with a significant reduction of analog outputs. The old readout network consists of resistors’ matrix and current collecting amplifiers, and it provides decoupling of each anode output into two directions (one to X and one to Y coordinates), but a decoupling function that is carried out independent of photomultiplier tube gains nonuniformity. A newly developed readout network (US patent pending) also consists of resistors’ matrix and current collecting amplifiers, but the new matrix includes an additional dumping resistor that provides an excess current from anode pad grounding. As a result, we subtract an extra current of high-gain pads in order to move the pads gain to an absolute minimum value for a given photomultiplier tube. This gain equalization procedure reduces image distortion related to gain nonuniformity. The new readout technique was used in several new radiation imaging detectors designed in the Detector Group of Jefferson Lab. It shows a visible readout uniformity and linearity improvement. The test results of an initial evaluation of this readout that is applied for data readout of four H8500 Hamamtsu PSPMT are presented.
Construction and expression of nonsense suppressor tRNAs which function in plant cells

An Arabidopsis thaliana L. DNA containing the tRNA(TrpUGG) gene was isolated and altered to encode the amber suppressor tRNA(TrpUAG) or the ochre suppressor tRNA(TrpUAA). These DNAs were electroporated into carrot protoplasts and tRNA expression was demonstrated by the translational suppression of amber and ochre nonsense mutations in the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. DNAs encoding tRNA(TrpUAG) and tRNA(TrpUAA) nonsense suppressor tRNAs caused suppression of their cognate nonsense codons in CAT mRNAs, with the tRNA(TrpUAG) gene exhibiting the greater suppression under optimal conditions for expression of CAT. The development of these translational suppressors which function in plant cells facilitates the study of plant tRNA gene expression and will make possible the manipulation of plant protein structure and function.
An evaluation of health communication materials for individuals with disabilities developed by three state disability and health programs.

Abstract Background Health communication increasingly has been recognized as an important part of public health practice that can help raise awareness of potential health risks, influence attitudes and beliefs, and motivate individuals to change unhealthy behaviors. Yet, few health communication messages exist that target people with disabilities. An evaluation was conducted to assess the relevance and usefulness of health communication materials developed by or disseminated in, or both, three state disability and health programs. Methods Health care providers and people with a variety of physical and sensory disabilities participated in the evaluation. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected in each of the three states using key informant interviews, focus groups, and a Web-based provider survey. Results State program staff reported that health communication strategies and messages should be developed to improve access and remove barriers to health care, provide access to facilities, empower consumers, and educate health care providers about the needs of people with disabilities. Several of these needs are consistent with the needs identified by consumers in the focus groups. Consumers indicated that improvements to the overall content and design of the state-developed health communication materials are needed, yet health care and human service providers who participated in the Web-based survey were generally satisfied with the materials. Nearly all providers reported being aware of the materials; however, consumers were not familiar with the state-developed materials reviewed by the focus groups. Conclusions Improvements in the content and dissemination of health promotion materials designed by states are indicated. Implications for public health practice, including recommendations for improving future health communication materials, are addressed in this article.
Developmental aberrations associated with twinning in laboratory-reared sea urchins.

Abstract Twinned sea urchins of Arbacia punctulata were reared in the laboratory from single first cleavage blastomeres through metamorphosis to reproductive adults. A pair of metamorphosed urchins, reared in the same container, with adequate food, typically differed in size and gross morphology. Aberrant plate variations of the normal apical system arrangement for the species were expressed by a significantly greater number of twinned urchins than controls derived from whole zygotes. The influence of early embryogenesis on the development of adult features is discussed.
Hypothermia produced by nicotine perfused through the cerabral ventricles of the unanaesthetized monkey.

Abstract Nicotine perfused through the cerebral ventricles of the unanaesthetized monkey caused a fall in body temperature. No significant changes were observed in other physiological or behavioral parameters. Hypothermia also occurred following perfusion with an acetylcholine-eserine mixture or noradrenaline. The onset of the response to acetylcholine-eserine was more rapid, and the duration of action shorter than the response to either nicotine or noradrenaline. The results suggest that nicotinic receptors may exist within the hypothalamic thermoregulatory pathways which mediate the hypothermie response.
A kinetic study of the reaction of chlorine atoms with CF3CHCl2, CF3CH2F, CFCl2CH3, CF2ClCH3, CHF2CH3, CH3D, CH2D2, CHD3, CD4, and CD3Cl at 295±2 K

Abstract The relative rate technique has been used to measure the reactivity of chlorine atoms with CF 3 CHCl 2 (HCFC-123), CF 3 CH 2 F (HFC-134a), CFCl 2 CH 3 (HCFC-141b), CF 2 ClCH 3 (HCFC-142b), CHF 2 CH 3 (HFC-152a), CH 3 D, CH 2 D 2 , CHD 3 , CD 4 , and CD 3 Cl relative to methane. Using a rate constant of 1.0×10 −13 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 for the reaction of Cl atoms with methane, the following rate constants were derived, in units of cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 : HCFC-123, (1.22±0.18)×10 −14 ; HFC-134a, (1.38±0.18)×10 −15 ; HCFC-141b, (2.04±0.22)×10 −15 ; HCFC-142b, (3.90±0.52)×10 −16 ; HFC-152a, (2.39±0.07)×10 −13 ; CH 3 D, (7.35±0.02)×10 −14 ; CH 2 D 2 , (4.57±0.22)×10 −14 ; CHD 3 , (2.32±0.05)×10 −14 ; CD 4 , (6.1±0.5)×10 −15 ; and CD 3 Cl, (8.89±0.26)×10 −14 . Quoted errors are 2σ. Experiments were performed at 295±2 K and 700 Torr total pressure of nitrogen. The results are discussed with respect to the previous literature data and to the interpretation of laboratory studies of the atmospheric chemistry of HCFC compounds.
Surgical strategies for spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhages.

I have read, with great interest, a recently published article in the British Journal of Neurosurgery by Li et al. titled “Surgical treatment for large spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage: retrosp...
In Situ Study of CO2 and H2O Partitioning between Na–Montmorillonite and Variably Wet Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Shale formations play fundamental roles in large-scale geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) aimed primarily to mitigate climate change and in smaller-scale GCS targeted mainly for CO2-enhanced gas recovery operations. Reactive components of shales include expandable clays, such as montmorillonites and mixed-layer illite/smectite clays. In this study, in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in situ infrared (IR) spectroscopy were used to investigate the swelling/shrinkage and H2O/CO2 sorption of Na+-exchanged montmorillonite, Na-SWy-2, as the clay is exposed to variably hydrated supercritical CO2 (scCO2) at 50 °C and 90 bar. Measured d001 values increased in stepwise fashion and sorbed H2O concentrations increased continuously with increasing percent H2O saturation in scCO2, closely following previously reported values measured in air at ambient pressure over a range of relative humidities. IR spectra show H2O and CO2 intercalation, and variations in peak shapes and positions suggest multiple sorbed types of H2...
The Correct Structures of “Dihydrothiamine”. Resolution of a Long-Standing Controversy

Reduction of thiamin (1) by a borohydride in water first gives bicyclic perhydrofuro[2,3-d]thiazole 3. Heating 3 in water generates fused tricyclic pyrimido[4,5-d]thiazolo[3,4-a]pyrimidine 4. X-ray crystal structures indicate the stereocenters are cis in 3 and cis-cis in 4. The kinetics of reduction of both 3 and 4 to tetrahydrothiamin 5 by additional aqueous borohydride show that 3 is the kinetic product of the reduction of 1 while 4 is the thermodynamic product produced from 3 in an acid-catalyzed ring-opening ring-closing isomerization process. Several structural assignments of “dihydrothiamine” presented some 40 years ago are incorrect. Subsequent reports based on the incorrect structures need to be reinterpreted.