cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanoscale details of liquid drops on 1D patterned surfaces revealed by etching

This paper reports the wetting properties and spatially dependent etch rate variation on the interaction of a dilute potassium hydroxide (KOH):water droplet with a nanopatterned one-dimensional, 500-nm period, grooved photoresist surface. The KOH liquid drop showed a hydrophilic contact angle both along and perpendicular to the grooves and a more significant elongation distortion as compared to a deionized water drop. From the etching of the photoresist lines by the KOH solution, monitored by SEM after the drop was removed, the droplet was in a Cassie–Baxter state with the liquid excluded from the grooves and was pinned at the edge of the grating lines. The etch rate varied with the evaporation rate of the droplet and showed a dependence on the local contact angle with faster etching for smaller contact angles.This paper reports the wetting properties and spatially dependent etch rate variation on the interaction of a dilute potassium hydroxide (KOH):water droplet with a nanopatterned one-dimensional, 500-nm period, grooved photoresist surface. The KOH liquid drop showed a hydrophilic contact angle both along and perpendicular to the grooves and a more significant elongation distortion as compared to a deionized water drop. From the etching of the photoresist lines by the KOH solution, monitored by SEM after the drop was removed, the droplet was in a Cassie–Baxter state with the liquid excluded from the grooves and was pinned at the edge of the grating lines. The etch rate varied with the evaporation rate of the droplet and showed a dependence on the local contact angle with faster etching for smaller contact angles.
Rural women's first-person perspectives on the role of mental health in substance use.

Introduction Some evidence suggests that co-occurring conditions may be more prevalent among rural populations. Rural women face limited behavioral health care, social barriers, and structural vulnerability that heighten their risk for co-occurring conditions. This qualitative study examines the first-person narratives of rural women to identify their perspectives on the co-occurrence of substance use and mental health symptoms. Methods Investigators performed secondary analysis of transcripts from intervention sessions (n=87) from incarcerated, rural women who were using drugs (n=24) who took part in an intervention based on motivational interviewing using a thematic analysis approach. Results In this sample of low-income Appalachian women in the rural USA, many described their substance use as emerging from a desire to escape mental health symptoms emerging from life stress and trauma. Although many remarked on their desire to 'deal with' the issues at the root of their mental health symptoms, they possessed limited options for formal treatment, let alone resources for coping. Instead, they encountered stigmatizing discourses about addiction that inadvertently reinforced their poor self-worth, only furthering substance use and confusing their sense of themselves. Conclusion These findings demonstrate the importance of creating pragmatic strategies to make behavioral health treatment available to rural women, in combination with larger programs that address the social conditions putting women at risk for poor mental health and substance use.
Effect of beta blocker use and type on hypoglycemia risk among hospitalized insulin requiring patients

Although beta blockers could increase the risk of hypoglycemia, the difference between subtypes on hypoglycemia and mortality have not been studied. This study sought to determine the relationship between type of beta blocker and incidence of hypoglycemia and mortality in hospitalized patients. We retrospectively identified non-critically ill hospitalized insulin requiring patients who were undergoing bedside glucose monitoring and received either carvedilol or a selective beta blocker (metoprolol or atenolol). Patients receiving other beta blockers were excluded. Hypoglycemia was defined as any glucose < 3.9 mmol/L within 24 h of admission (Hypo1day) or throughout hospitalization (HypoT) and any glucose < 2.2 mmol/L throughout hospitalization (Hyposevere). There were 1020 patients on carvedilol, 886 on selective beta blockers, and 10,216 on no beta blocker at admission. After controlling for other variables, the odds of Hypo1day, HypoT and Hyposevere were higher for carvedilol and selective beta blocker recipients than non-recipients, but only in basal insulin nonusers. The odds of Hypo1day (odds ratio [OR] 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28, 3.09, p = 0.0002) and HypoT (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.02, 1.86, p = 0.03) but not Hyposevere (OR 1.90, 95% CI 0.90, 4.02, p = 0.09) were greater for selective beta blocker vs. carvedilol recipients in basal insulin nonusers. Hypo1day, HypoT, and Hyposevere were all associated with increased mortality in adjusted models among non-beta blocker and selective beta blocker recipients, but not among carvedilol recipients. Beta blocker use is associated with increased odds of hypoglycemia among hospitalized patients not requiring basal insulin, and odds are greater for selective beta blockers than for carvedilol. The odds of hypoglycemia-associated mortality are increased with selective beta blocker use or nonusers but not in carvedilol users, warranting further study.
On residually thin hypergroups

Abstract The notion of a hypergroup (in the sense of [11] ) provides a far reaching and meaningful generalization of the concept of a group. Specific classes of hypergroups have given rise to challenging questions and interesting connections to geometric and group theoretic topics; cf. [12] , [13] , and [15] . In the present article, we investigate residually thin hypergroups, that is hypergroups H which contain closed subsets F 0 , …, F n such that F 0 = { 1 } , F n = H , and, for each element i in { 1 , … , n } , F i − 1 ⊆ F i and F i / / F i − 1 is thin. In our first main result, we analyze the normal structure of residually thin hypergroups. The second main result of this note says that finite hypergroups are residually thin if all of their elements h satisfy h h ⁎ h = { h } . Our investigation, in particular our focus on this latter condition, was inspired by a study of metathin association schemes; cf. [6] , [7] . We therefore would like to dedicate this article to Mitsugu Hirasaka who initiated this study.
Tolerating Uncertainty in the Dark: Insomnia Symptoms, Distress, and Well-Being Among Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer.

Given the need to better understand mechanisms linking poor sleep and psychological distress in the context of chronic illness, we explored a novel factor, intolerance of uncertainty (IU), in relation to insomnia among parents of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. We hypothesized that parents with higher IU would report greater insomnia symptoms, which would be associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. These greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms are hypothesized to mediate the relationship between insomnia symptoms and subjective well-being (SWB). Surveying 59 parents of AYAs with cancer, we computed a parallel-serial mediational analysis using bootstrapping techniques for ordinary least squares regression to test two pathways (adjusting for whether the AYA currently resided with the parent). The first serial pathway was IU→insomnia symptoms→anxiety symptoms→SWB. The second pathway was IU→insomnia symptoms→depressive symptoms→SWB. Although the first pathway involving sleep and anxiety as serial mediators was nonsignificant, the second pathway with sleep and depressive symptoms was significant. The relationship between IU and SWB was mediated through insomnia and depressive symptoms. An alternative serial mediation analysis wherein depressive symptoms preceded sleep was not significant, lending support to study findings. This study provides preliminary evidence that IU’s detrimental influence on depression and SWB may operate through its influence on insomnia symptoms. Given implications for parents’ well-being and, likely, their subsequent capacity to care for the AYA with cancer, interventions addressing IU and disturbed sleep among this underserved population deserve attention.
Classification of Autism Genes Using Network Science and Linear Genetic Programming.

Understanding the genetic background of complex diseases and disorders plays an essential role in the promising precision medicine. Deciphering what genes are associated with a specific disease/disorder helps better diagnose and treat it, and may even prevent it if predicted accurately and acted on effectively at early stages. The evaluation of candidate disease-associated genes, however, requires time-consuming and expensive experiments given the large number of possibilities. Due to such challenges, computational methods have seen increasing applications in predicting gene-disease associations. Given the intertwined relationships of molecules in human cells, genes and their products can be considered to form a complex molecular interaction network. Such a network can be used to find candidate genes that share similar network properties with known disease-associated genes. In this research, we investigate autism spectrum disorders and propose a linear genetic programming algorithm for autism gene prediction using a human molecular interaction network and known autism-genes for training. We select an initial set of network properties as features and our LGP algorithm is able to find the most relevant features while evolving accurate predictive models. Our research demonstrates the powerful and flexible learning abilities of GP on tackling a significant biomedical problem, and is expected to inspire further exploration of wide GP applications.
Evaluating Trends in Novel Psychoactive Substances Using a Sentinel Population of Electronic Dance Music Festival Attendees

Electronic dance music (EDM) festivals have become a popular venue for recreational drug use, including the use of traditional stimulants like 3,4-methylenendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Using this cohort of people who use drugs recreationally, this study sought to collect biological specimens and self-reported drug use data from EDM festival attendees in the United States to monitor regional and temporal trends related to NPS use and turnover between 2014 and 2017. Oral fluid samples were collected at three United States EDM festival locations, including Miami, Florida (2014 to 2017); Tampa, Florida (2017) and Atlanta, Georgia (2017). Samples were screened by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Over the 4 years, 1,233 oral fluid samples were collected. With respect to self-reported drug use, 63% of respondents reported medicinal and/or recreational drug use within the last week. When comparing 4 years of data from Miami (2014 to 2017), NPS trends showed the disappearance of alpha-PVP after 2014 followed by a significant increase in ethylone positivity in 2015 and rapid decrease in 2016. Dibutylone was identified for the first time in Miami 2016, and N-ethyl pentylone was identified for the first time in Miami 2017. Additionally, 3,4-methylenendioxymethamphetamine positivity steadily increased from 2014 to 2017. A comparison across study sites (Miami, Tampa and Atlanta) and specific trends with respect to novel simulant use are described within. Using this opportunistic approach of monitoring drug trends, we have found that peak positivity of novel stimulants usually is within a year of their first detection. Understanding the dynamics of NPS drug markets will allow laboratories to plan for resource allocation and scope updates within a timely fashion to assist with the detection and confirmation of these emerging substances in samples submitted for forensic analysis.
Are Heating and Stirring Required to Dissolve Salt in Water? Answers from Quantitative Experimental Evidence

A common misconception about dissolving is that heating and/or stirring are required for the dissolving process to occur. In this study, quantitative experimental evidence was collected and analyze...
Research on Learning and Teaching Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers

This chapter summarizes current research that is relevant to the learning and teaching of addition and subtraction of whole numbers ranging from simple small number situations through the multidigit algorithms. It summarizes results from these areas of research but, because of the relative amounts of research available, concentrates most heavily on children's thinking. The chapter concerns single-digit sums and differences between 10 and 18, more complex addition and subtraction situations (and word problems), and the several more complex solution procedures children use to solve such situations. Many children in kindergarten and first grade will use the direct modeling solution procedures discussed in the section called "Simple Addition and Subtraction Situations", but many other children will use the more sophisticated procedures discussed in the "Levels of Solution Procedures" section. The chapter differentiates children's conceptual structures by developmental level and by the size of the numbers added and subtracted.
Patient-specific prediction model for clinical and quality-of-life outcomes after lumbar spine surgery

Objective Patient demographics, comorbidities, and baseline quality of life (QOL) are major contributors to postoperative outcomes. The frequency and cost of lumbar spine surgery has been increasing, with controversy revolving around optimal management strategies and outcome predictors. The goal of this study was to generate predictive nomograms and a clinical calculator for postoperative clinical and QOL outcomes following lumbar spine surgery for degenerative disease. Methods Patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery for degenerative disease at a single tertiary care institution between June 2009 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Nomograms and an online calculator were modeled based on patient demographics, comorbidities, presenting symptoms and duration of symptoms, indication for surgery, type and levels of surgery, and baseline preoperative QOL scores. Outcomes included postoperative emergency department (ED) visit or readmission within 30 days, reoperation within 90 days, and 1-year changes in the EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D) score. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. Results A total of 2996 lumbar surgeries were identified. Thirty-day ED visits were seen in 7%, 30-day readmission in 12%, 90-day reoperation in 3%, and improvement in EQ-5D at 1 year that exceeded the minimum clinically important difference in 56%. Concordance indices for the models predicting ED visits, readmission, reoperation, and dichotomous 1-year improvement in EQ-5D were 0.63, 0.66, 0.73, and 0.84, respectively. Important predictors of clinical outcomes included age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, indication for surgery, preoperative duration of symptoms, and the type (and number of levels) of surgery. A web-based calculator was created, which can be accessed here: https://riskcalc.org/PatientsEligibleForLumbarSpineSurgery/. Conclusions The prediction tools derived from this study constitute important adjuncts to clinical decision-making that can offer patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery realistic and personalized expectations of postoperative outcome. They may also aid physicians in surgical planning, referrals, and counseling to ultimately lead to improved patient experience and outcomes.
Improving Quality Improvement Capacity and Clinical Performance in Small Primary Care Practices.

PURPOSE We undertook a study to assess whether implementing 7 evidence-based strategies to build improvement capacity within smaller primary care practices was associated with changes in performance on clinical quality measures (CQMs) for cardiovascular disease. METHODS A total of 209 practices across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho participated in a pragmatic clinical trial that focused on building quality improvement capacity as measured by a validated questionnaire, the 12-point Quality Improvement Capacity Assessment (QICA). Clinics reported performance on 3 cardiovascular CQMs-appropriate aspirin use, blood pressure (BP) control (<140/90 mm Hg), and smoking screening/cessation counseling-at baseline (2015) and follow-up (2017). Regression analyses with change in CQM as the dependent variable allowed for clustering by practice facilitator and adjusted for baseline CQM performance. RESULTS Practices improved QICA scores by 1.44 points (95% CI, 1.20-1.68; P <.001) from an average baseline of 6.45. All 3 CQMs also improved: aspirin use by 3.98% (average baseline = 66.8%; 95% CI for change, 1.17%-6.79%; P = .006); BP control by 3.36% (average baseline = 61.5%; 95% CI for change, 1.44%-5.27%; P = .001); and tobacco screening/cessation counseling by 7.49% (average baseline = 73.8%; 95% CI for change, 4.21%-10.77%; P <.001). Each 1-point increase in QICA score was associated with a 1.25% (95% CI, 0.41%-2.09%, P = .003) improvement in BP control; the estimated likelihood of reaching a 70% BP control performance goal was 1.24 times higher (95% CI, 1.09-1.40; P <.001) for each 1-point increase in QICA. CONCLUSION Improvements in clinic-level performance on BP control may be attributed to implementation of 7 evidence-based strategies to build quality improvement capacity. These strategies were feasible to implement in small practices over 15 months.
Activity in MCF-7 Estrogen-sensitive Breast Cancer Cells of Capsicodendrin from Cinnamosma fragrans.

BACKGROUND/AIM Effect of capsicodendrin on the NF-κB pathway was studied in MCF-7 cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS The transcription factor assay was used to screen for NF-κB activity. The effect on IKKβ, ICAM-1, and caspase-7 were studied using western blot. Caspase-1 was studied using Promega Caspase-Glo® assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. The potentiometric dye JC-1 was used to assess mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and the cell cycle was examined using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. RESULTS NF-κB p65 inhibitory effect was IC50=8.6 μM and cytotoxic activity was IC50=7.5 μM. The upstream IKK and the downstream ICAM-1 were down-regulated. Sub G1-phase population increased to 81% after 12 h of treatment with capsicodendrin (10 μM) and there was no loss of ΔΨM. CONCLUSION Increased levels of intracellular ROS promoted activity of caspase-1 and induced cell death in MCF-7 cells. Capsicodendrin may be a future anticancer agent that prevents the progression of metastatic breast cancer.
Advanced Electron Microscopy in the Study of Multimetallic Nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles have led to exciting progress in a versatile array of applications. For the purpose of better tailoring of nanoparticle activities and understanding the correlation between their structures and properties, control over the composition, shape, size, and morphology of multimetallic nanoparticles plays an important role on revealing their novel or enhanced functions for potential application. In this chapter, we give an overview of various chemical synthesis techniques, and advanced electron microscopy characterization techniques including Z-contrast imaging, microanalysis, tomography, geometrical phase analysis, and holography were used to provide an atomic-scale insight into the structure–properties of different materials: Au/Pd, Au/Co, Pt/Pd, Au/Cu, Ag/Pd/Pt, and Au/Cu/Pt nanoparticles.
Spatial spectral imaging as an adjunct to the Bethesda classification of thyroid fine‐needle aspiration specimens

BACKGROUND: Thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, the preoperative diagnostic standard of care for patients with thyroid nodules, has limitations. Spectral imaging captures visible light information that is beyond the capability of the human eye, potentially increasing the accuracy of FNA biopsy. In the current study, the authors demonstrated the feasibility of using spectral imaging in combination with automated spatial analysis based on trainable pattern recognition as an adjunct test for thyroid FNA classification by developing an algorithm that distinguishes between images of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and benign goiter (BG). METHODS: A multispectral camera was used to capture spectral images representing 100 cases of PTC and BG. Used in conjunction with commercial software, 10 cases were used as a training set to develop a “classifier,” a classification algorithm that segments digitized multispectral images into regions of PTC, BG, and “nonfeature.” This algorithm was used to generate a screening test and a diagnostic test that were validated on an independent set of images representing 30 cases of PTC and 30 cases of BG. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic for the PTC/BG classifier was 0.90. The screening test had a sensitivity of 0.93 and a specificity of 0.73. The diagnostic test had a sensitivity of 0.70 and a specificity of 0.90. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed image classification tests that distinguish between FNAs of PTC and BG, demonstrating the potential value of spatial spectral imaging as an adjunct test for the classification of thyroid FNA samples. The data support prospective testing to determine the value of the PTC/BG classifier in routine clinical use. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
An optimal latching waveform design for dynamic sense amplifiers

A generalized optimal latching pulse for DRAM dynamic sense amplifier design has been derived. The model equations account for threshold voltage (V/sub t/) imbalance, bit line capacitance (C/sub b/) imbalance, current gain ( beta ) imbalance, gate capacitance (C/sub G/) and intrabit line capacitive (C/sub I/) coupling effect, channel length modulation, source-body effect, and temperature sensitivity in a unified manner. Computer simulations of the analytical equations, including those effects, are presented. A design implementation for fast sense amplifier operation is also presented to demonstrate the utility of the model equations for practical application. >
Valence Instability in Eu ( Pd 1 − x Au x ) 2 Si 2 : The Global Phase Diagram

A system has been discovered in which the characteristic energies of a valence instability and a magnetic ordering instability can be brought into parity. This leads to a novel phase diagram where a line of second-order magnetic transitions terminates at a line of first-order valence transitions which, in turn, terminates at a critical point. Microscopic M\"ossbauer-effect measurements of the order parameters across both magnetic and valence instabilities, along with bulk magnetic susceptibility measurements, are presented.
The Momentum-Balance Method in Earthquake Engineering

During an earthquake the shaking of the ground imparts movement to structures which are then stressed by the resulting inertia forces. When the structure is a dam, it experiences additional earthquake forces from the water in the reservoir. The horizontal motion of the ground does not impart movement to the water so the dam accelerates into and away from the water and experiences dynamic water pressures. The first analysis of this problem was by H. M. Westergaard, Professor of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois, his paper [1] appearing in the 1933 Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In the 1920's when Boulder Dam was being designed, Westergaard was a Visiting Scientist at the Bureau of Reclamation and became jnterested in this practical earthquake engineering problem. His paper elicited numerous discussions, also printed in the 1933 ASCE Transactions, and an especially interesting discussion was contributed by Theodore Von Karman, Professor of Aeronautics at the California Institute of Technology. Essentially the same result that Westergaard obtained by means of a series solution of a partial differential equation was deduced by Karman using a remarkably simple momentum-balance method. Although Karman's method was mathematically simple, some steps in the analysis appeared to be inexplicable. The method might be said to be an example of Operational Mechanics which, like Operational Mathematics, involves operations that, give the desired result without it being understood why they do so. It is the purpose of this paper to give a rational explanation of the momentum-balance method.
The Use of Performance Measures in Incentive Contracting

The strength of incentives used in an organization and the productivity of employees that results from these incentives depend to a large degree on the characteristics of the performance measures available to the organization. Some employees work under high-powered explicit incentive contracts, while others have no explicit incentive contracts at all. The ability of agency theory to predict the pattern of incentive provision in organizations has not been very impressive, and the divergence between the prescriptions of agency theory and the actual practice of firms has been widely noted. This paper (along with both other papers in this session [Edward P. Lazear, 2000; Canice Prendergast, 2000]) attempts to fill some of the gap between theory and practice. I examine the characteristics of performance measures (those data on which explicit incentive contracts are based) to understand how firms use incentive contracting, and to predict the use of incentives in practice.
(2+1) REMPI of NO via the D 2Σ+ state: rotational branching ratios

Recent photoelectron spectroscopic studies in a (2 + 1) REMPI of NO via the Rydberg D^2Σ^+ state have revealed anomalous ionic rotational branching ratios. We have performed ab initio calculations of these branching ratios and find that the molecular nature of the ionization continuum plays an essential role in the dynamics. Even though the bound orbital is very atomic-like (> 98% p-like), the photoelectron continuum wavefunction is quite sensitive to the non-spherical nature of the molecular ionic potential and causes a strong persistence of the p-partial wave which, in turn, leads to a large ΔN = 0 peak.
(81, 16, 3) Abelian difference sets do not exist

Abstract Of the five abelian groups of order 81, three are known not to contain a (81, 16, 3) difference set. We prove that the remaining two groups behave similarly. Consequently, two of the missing entries in Lander's table can be filled with a negative response.
Multimedia, visual computing, and the information superhighway

The data types of graphics, images, audio and video or collectively multimedia are becoming standard components of most computer interfaces and applications. Medical imaging in particular will be able to exploit these capabilities in concert with the database engines or 'information furnaces' that will exist as part of the information superhighway. The ability to connect experts with patients electronically enables care delivery from remote diagnostics to remote surgery. Traditional visual computing tasks such as MRI, volume rendering, computer vision or image processing may also be available to more clinics and researchers as they become 'electronically local.' Video is the component of multimedia that provides the greatest sense of presence or visual realism yet has been the most difficult to offer digitally due to its high transmission, storage and computation requirements. Advanced 3D graphics have also been a scarce or at least expensive resource. This paper addresses some of the recent innovations in media processing and client/server technology that will facilitate PCs, workstations or even set-top/TV boxes to process both video and graphics in real-time.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An algorithm for the general solution of hidden line removal for intersecting solids

Abstract A general solution for the removal of hidden lines from a three-dimensional scene is presented. The presented algorithm can accurately construct the Junction lines ( J-lines ) formed when objects penetrate each other. It allows the user to define an object as a line, a plane, a convex, or a concave polyhedron, which can include inner edges on any facet of an object ( i.e. , holes inside an object). The Roberts algorithm is also discussed to provide a comparison between the CPU time and restrictions with the new algorithm.
Intracellular Signaling in Primary Sensory Neurons and Persistent Pain

During evolution, living organisms develop a specialized apparatus called nociceptors to sense their environment and avoid hazardous situations. Intense stimulation of high threshold C- and Aδ-fibers of nociceptive primary sensory neurons will elicit pain, which is acute and protective under normal conditions. A further evolution of the early pain system results in the development of nociceptor sensitization under injury or disease conditions, leading to enhanced pain states. This sensitization in the peripheral nervous system is also called peripheral sensitization, as compared to its counterpart, central sensitization. Inflammatory mediators such as proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β), PGE2, bradykinin, and NGF increase the sensitivity and excitability of nociceptors by enhancing the activity of pronociceptive receptors and ion channels (e.g., TRPV1 and Nav1.8). We will review the evidence demonstrating that activation of multiple intracellular signal pathways such as MAPK pathways in primary sensory neurons results in the induction and maintenance of peripheral sensitization and produces persistent pain. Targeting the critical signaling pathways in the periphery will tackle pain at the source.
Evaluating Firefighters' Performance:

This study compared the performance ratings of 171 firefighters over a 1½-yr. period using a newly developed performance evaluation system. The objective was to develop an evaluation system that wo...
Morphological and pathological studies of Colletotrichum capsici and C. indicum.

Four isolates of Colletotrichum capsici from pepper and cotton from Louisiana, and four isolates of C indicum from cotton from El Salvador, Thailand and India were studied for pathogenicity on unwounded cotton bolls and for morphological characters on the host and in culture which might serve to separate the two species. All isolates, regardless of host or geographic origin, were pathogenic on unwounded cotton bolls. Relative amount and location of fungal stromatic tissue development within boll tissues varied similarly for both species. Conidial dimensions were nearly identical for C. capsici and C. indicum. Colletotrichum indicum should be considered a synonym of C. capsici based on similar pathogenic and morphological characters.
Influence of Magnesium Concentration on Production of Exoprotein and β-Lactamase by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus hemolyticus

Earlier investigations demonstrated that production and secretion of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) and total exoprotein by strains of Staphylococcus aureus were maximal when magnesium ion was limiting and diminished when the concentration of magnesium increased. This investigation studied the influence of magnesium concentration on production of total exoprotein and beta-lactamase by strains of S. aureus and Staphylococcus hemolyticus, isolated from the genital tracts of women. These strains were resistant to penicillins. Each organism was incubated in chemically defined medium with various concentrations of magnesium, and total exoprotein production and beta-lactamase activity in supernatants were determined. In all strains, total exoprotein production and beta-lactamase activity per bacterial cell were markedly increased in the presence of low concentrations of magnesium. When the concentration of magnesium was elevated, production of total exoprotein and beta-lactamase was decreased. Therefore, magnesium-deficient strains of S. aureus and S. hemolyticus may secrete more exoproteins and be more resistant to beta-lactam drugs than when magnesium is not limiting.
The Ambiguities of the Holy: Authenticating Relics in Seventeenth-Century Spain*

Recent scholarship has shown that, even at the heart of the Catholic world, defining holiness in the Counter-Reformation was remarkably difficult, in spite of ongoing Roman reforms meant to centralize and standardize the authentication of saints and relics. If the standards for evaluating sanctity were complex and contested in Rome, they were even less clear to regional actors, such as the Bishop of Jaen, who supervised the discovery of relics in Arjona, a southern Spanish town, beginning in 1628. The new relics presented the bishop, Cardinal Baltasar de Moscoso y Sandoval, with knotty historical, theological, and procedural dilemmas. As such, the Arjona case offers a particularly vivid example of the ambiguities that continued to complicate the assessment of holiness in the early modern period. As the Bishop of Jaen found, the authentication of relics came to involve deeper questions about the nature of theological and historical truth that were unresolved in Counter-Reformation theory and practice.
A dual-VDD boosted pulsed bus technique for low power and low leakage operation

In this paper, we propose a new dual-VDD bus technique that is well suited for low power operation. This technique adapts a static pulsed bus architecture to use dual-VDD power supplies. During quiescent periods, the bus system idles at the lower of the two VDD supplies, thereby lowering static power dissipation. When actively transitioning, the inverters in the bus system are temporarily boosted to the higher VDD supply to provide the needed drive strength for performance. Since the VDD boosting is done in a pulsed manner, the bus system is in a high VDD state only when required, ensuring lower power operation without sacrificing performance. This technique yields up to a 50% reduction in total power over traditional static buses and up to a 35% reduction in total power over standard static pulsed buses, with a 12-15% delay improvement.
Decreased glucagon responsiveness by bile acids : A role for protein kinase Cα and glucagon receptor phosphorylation

Dihydroxy bile acids like chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) induce heterologous glucagon receptor desensitization. We previously demonstrated that protein kinase C (PKC) was activated by certain bile acids and mediated the CDCA-induced decrease in glucagon responsiveness. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of PKC in the phosphorylation and desensitization of the glucagon receptor by CDCA. Desensitization was evaluated by measuring adenylyl cyclase activity. Receptor phosphorylation was assayed by metabolic labeling with [- 32 P] ATP. Protein kinase C (PKC) translocation and activation was visualized by fluorescence microscopy. CDCA decreased cAMP production induced by glucagon in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cAMP synthesis through stimulation of either stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs) by NaF or adenylyl cyclase by forskolin. The CDCA-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity was potentiated by the phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid. The desensitizing effect of CDCA was bile acid-specific and was significantly reduced in the presence of PKC inhibitors and after PKC down-regulation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. CDCA increased glucagon receptor phosphorylation more than 3-fold at concentrations as low as 25 M. Furthermore, CDCA significantly stimulated human recombinant PKC autophosphorylation in vitro, as well as PKC translocation to the plasma membrane and phosphorylation in vivo at concentrations as low as 25 M. CDCA also stimulated PKC translocationtotheperinuclearregion.ActivatedPKC,PKC,and to a lesser extent, PKC, phosphorylated the glucagon receptor in vitro. This study demonstrates that certain bile acids, such as CDCA, stimulate phosphorylation and heterologous desensitization of the glucagon receptor, involving at least PKC activation. (Endocrinology 147: 5294–5302, 2006)
SUNCT and optic nerve hypoplasia

SUNCT has been reported in association with abnormalities of the brainstem and pituitary region. We present a patient with a history of left optic nerve hypoplasia, mild hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, and SUNCT starting in adolescence. SUNCT with an early age of onset may be associated with congenital abnormality of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
The asymptotic distribution of weighted empirical distribution functions

Abstract Let G n denote the empirical distribution based on n independent uniform (0, 1) random variables. The asymptotic distribution of the supremum of weighted discrepancies between G n ( u ) and u of the forms ‖ w v ( u ) D n ( u )‖ and ‖ w v ( G n ( u )) D n ( u )‖, where D n ( u ) = G n ( u )− u , w v ( u ) = ( u (1− u )) −1+ v and 0 ⩽ v 1 2 is obtained. Goodness-of-fit tests based on these statistics are shown to be asymptotically sensitive only in the extreme tails of a distribution, which is exactly where such statistics that use a weight function w v with 1 2 ⩽ v ⩽ 1 are insensitive. For this reason weighted discrepancies which use the weight function w v with 0 ⩽ v 1 2 are potentially applicable in the construction of confidence contours for the extreme tails of a distribution.
The Politics of Prostate Cancer Screening

The controversial recent recommendation by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for early-stage prostate cancer has caused much debate. Whereas USPSTF recommendations against routine screening mammography in younger women resulted in fierce public outcry and eventual alteration in the language of the recommendation, the same public and political response has not been seen with PSA screening for prostate cancer. It is of paramount importance to ensure improved efficiency and transparency of the USPSTF recommendation process, and resolution of concerns with the current USPSTF recommendation against PSA screening for all ages.
Relationship of Morphologic Variation and Environment in Recent Bolivina (Foraminiferida) from Northwestern Gulf of Mexico: ABSTRACT

This study investigates intraspecific morphological variation trends of recent benthic foraminifera in relation to depth and environmental factors (temperature and salinity). Twelve samples were obtained from traverses trending south-southeast from offshore Galveston, Texas, to the Sigsbee Deep. Samples are cuts of short cores (30-40 cm, 12-16 in.) from 33-3,431 m (108-11,257 ft) in depth. Fifty specimens from the total population (all growth stages) and 30 specimens of a specific growth stage were randomly selected for each of 4 foraminifera species, Bolivina albatrossi, B. lowmani, B. subspinescens, and B. ordinaria, from each sample site. Test outline, as an indicator of overall shape, was quantified by an automated video digitizer using closed-form Fourier series anal ses. Significant variations in shape outline components were tested for their relationships to bathymetry and environmental factors using analysis of variance and multiple discriminant analysis for both total populations and the specific growth stage. Morphologic trends relatable to both depth and environmental variables are recognizable in the 2 data sets. Such trends may be observable in the fossil record, thus indicating relative depths and suggesting possible absolute depth and values of environmental variables. This morphologic approach may be utilized even though different species are incorporated in analyses and different absolute depths involved. End_of_Article - Last_Page 479------------
An Analytical Comparison of Social Network Measures

Network science spans many different fields of study, ranging from psychology to biology to the social sciences. A number of descriptive network measures have been identified for use within these fields; however, little research examines the relationships of these measures for possible statistical dependence. The research presented in this paper uses Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to examine the statistical dependence between pairs of 24 widely accepted social network measures. Confidence intervals are compared to determine whether computation times between measures in the same correlation group are significantly different. We use a three-factor, four-level, full-factorial experimental design to construct a test set of 64 unique network topologies. The three factors of interest are the network structural properties of size, clusterability, and the scale-free parameter. A set of 320 networks are generated from a power law degree distribution using a random graph generation algorithm. Results indicate that there exists high correlation among 14 of the 24 tested network measures, many of which also exhibit statistically significant differences with respect to computation time. These findings are of interest to analysts seeking to identify measures that provide similar ranked outcomes and where computational efficiency is an important consideration.
Marketing identity preserved grain products: The case of American White Wheat Producers Association

Increasing demand for identity preserved grains in the production of new food and nonfood products may stimulate a parallel development of new marketing channels. Observations of strategic issues that must be addressed by firms seeking to market identity preserved grains were obtained from studying the development of the American White Wheat Producers Association. Potential backward integration by marketing firms and forward integration by farmers presents each group with new risks and uncertainties. For any single firm, barriers to entry will be a crucial component of the profitability of identity preserved grain marketing. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Accuracy Evaluation of an ASTER-Derived Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) Version 1 and Version 2 for Two Sites in Western Africa

This study compares the ASTER Global DEM version 1 (GDEMv1) and version 2 (GDEMv2) for two study sites with distinct terrain and land cover characteristics in western Africa. The effects of land cover, slope, relief, and stack number are evaluated through both absolute and relative DEM statistical comparisons. While GDEMv2 at times performed better than GDEMv1, this improvement was not consistent, revealing the complex nature and interaction of terrain and land cover characteristics, which influences the accuracy of GDEM tiles on local and regional scales.
Microbiological, Sensory and Chemical Characteristics of Vacuum-Packaged Ground Beef Patties Treated with Salts of Organic Acids

Vacuum-packaged ground beef patties containing sodium lactate (NaL), sodium propionate (NaP), sodium acetate (NaA) and sodium citrate (NaC) at various levels and combinations were stored up to 28 days at 4°C. Addition of sodium lactate alone or in combination with sodium propionate increased shelf life of the patties by decreasing microbiological growth and decreasing negative flavor notes associated with lipid oxidation. Lean color also was improved by addition of sodium lactate alone or in combination with sodium propionate. Lipid oxidation by TBA was only slightly affected by treatment addition or storage.
Invalid response sets in MMPI and MMPI-2 profiles of college students

Undergraduates (63 men, 68 women) were administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and MMPI-2 in counterbalanced order, 1 week apart, to examine invalid response sets in the...
NONUNIFORM SEISMIC MOTION OF LONG-SPAN PIPELINE SUSPENSION BRIDGES

The goal of this investigation was to determine the responses of longspan pipeline suspension bridges to nonuniform seismic motion. To achieve this objective, two existing bridges were analyzed: th...
Metamorphosis: from traditional computer labs to collaboratories

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater embarked on a pilot project to build group working space in the General Access Computer lab area in response to the social needs and working style of the net-generation student population. We started by converting an existing room in our computer lab into 5 smaller group work rooms equipped with the technology, flexibility and privacy students need. These 'collaboratories' have been extremely well received since its opening in the Spring semester 2006. Over 900 groups of 3 or more students with more than 3700 student head count used these spaces out of our student population of 9,800. We continue to reconfigure additional space for smaller group work. Learn more about the process we went through in creating a new learning space as we move towards a new generation of learners within our limited resources.
Definitive evidence for lack of phytosterol dealkylation in honey bees

Neither developing honey bee larvae nor queens were able to convert dietary14C-desmosterol to cholesterol, nor was larval development of sterol metabolism affected when the inhibitor, 25-azacoprostane, was included in the worker bee diet. These results provide strong evidence that this phytophagous insect is unable to dealkylate phytosterols at the C-24 position in order to produce cholesterol.
Acousto-Optic Devices Applied To Image Processing

Two recently reported optical processing concepts can be exploited for realtime linear shift-invariant processing of 2-D imagery with acoustooptic devices: (1) space coordinate-to-temporal frequency conversion, and (2) time-integration spectral analysis. A pair of crossed acoustooptic cells, driven by periodic chirp wave-forms, can be used for both operations. State-of-the-art acoustooptic devices appear suitable for gigahertz rate processing of images with spacebandwidth products approaching 106.
Parenthood, Family Values, and the 1992 Presidential Election

There was a "family gap" in presidential voting in the 1992 election, with parents of young children voting more Republican. This voting difference remains, even when controls are employed for relevant demographic variables. Similarly, attitudes on family values affected voting in 1992, even when controls are added for more conventional attitudinal variables. The parenthood effect did not exist in 1988, lending support to the argument that its occurrence in 1992 was related to the focus on family values in the presidential campaign. Family structure variables can have partisan effects when parties address family issues in their appeals to voters. The target audience of the family values appeal did support President Bush, although their numbers were not large enough to produce victory.
Role of sphingosine-1-phosphate in the renal medulla

for more than a century following the discovery of sphingolipids, biochemists viewed these ubiquitous phospholipids as pharmacologically silent structural elements of the cell membrane. After the identification of G protein-coupled receptors for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) ([1][1], [8][2], [10][3
Stability Estimates for Obstacle Scattering

Abstract A stability estimate is obtained for obstacle scattering and for potential scattering by strongly singular potentials which may be infinite on sets of positive measure. A new asymptotic estimate for the scattering amplitude is obtained.
Evaluation of residual tumor from Mohs micrographic specimens of clinically resolved preoperative biopsy sites.

On occasion, patients will present to a Mohs micrographic surgeon with only a faint scar at the biopsy site and no clinically apparent residual tumor (Figure 1). We hypothesized that clinically apparent resolution may translate to microscopic resolution of tumor in the majority of cases.MethodsThe p