cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Field Test of Resistance to Acarapis woodi (Acari: Tarsonemidae) and of Colony Production by Four Stocks of Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Characteristics of four stocks of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., were evaluated in colonies managed commercially for honey production at three U.S. locations―one north-central location (Iowa) and two south-central locations (Mississippi, Texas). Stocks were compared for 1 yr beginning in October 1991 to determine the levels of infestation by tracheal mites, Acarapis woodi (Rennie), and to ascertain survival rates, levels of honey production, and sizes of adult and brood populations. Test stocks were ARS-Y-C-1 ( A. mellifera carnica Pollman, imported from Yugoslavia), Buckfast (imported from the United Kingdom), Survivor (developed from colonies in a Louisiana apiary believed to have had severe tracheal mite infestation), and Unchallenged (developed from a feral Louisiana population never exposed to tracheal mites). Stocks initially were represented by 15-20 colonies at each location. After an initial inoculation of mite-infested bees in the autuinn, infestation percentages increased more markedly in the susceptible (Survivor and Unchallenged) stocks than in the resistant (ARS-Y-C-1 and Buckfast) stocks. Mean infestation percentages in the resistant stocks remained <15% and thus were below levels associated with economic damage. Mean infestation percentages in susceptible stocks ranged from 13 to 95% at each site during the final 6 mo of the study Numbers of mites per infested bee differed between stocks in 4 of 21 samples; mite numbers tended to be greatest in Survivor bees and least in Buckfast bees. Mortality increased more rapidly among susceptible colonies than among resistant colonies as infestation increased in 1992. Honey production was greatest by Buckfast, intermediate by Survivor, and least by Unchallenged and ARS-Y-C-l colonies. Differences in population sizes of adult bees and brood occurred in approximately half of samples taken in spring and autumn; Survivor and Buckfast colonies were most populous. Stock characteristics showed no interaction of genotype with environment, i.e., location. Our results support the feasibility of an approach using genetically regulated resistance to manage problems caused by tracheal mites.
Reflection and transmission of plane waves at the interface between two different dipolar gradient elastic half-spaces

Abstract The reflection and transmission of plane waves at the interface between two different dipolar gradient elastic solids are studied. First, the auxiliary monopolar tractions and the auxiliary dipolar tractions are introduced and the explicit expressions of them are derived for the dipolar gradient elastic solid. Then, the nontraditional interface conditions requiring the auxiliary monopolar tractions and the auxiliary dipolar tractions continuous across the interface are used to determine the amplitude ratio of the reflection and transmission waves with respect to the incident wave. Our aim is to investigate the microstructure effects on the reflection and transmission waves at the interface of two microstructured solids, and to show the possible deviation from the classical elastic solids without microstructure effects. It is found that the microstructure effects make the propagating waves dispersive and create the evanescent waves that become the surface waves at interface. Some numerical examples are given for the amplitude ratio and the phase shift of reflection and transmission waves. The numerical results are validated by consideration of energy conservation. It is found from the numerical results that the reflection and transmission waves are significantly dependent upon the microstructure parameters and the microstructure effects become more pronounced as the incident wavelength is close to the characteristic length of microstructure.
Contrast sensitivity assessment in pediatric cataract surgery: comparison of preoperative and early postoperative outcomes.

Purpose To evaluate the preoperative and early postoperative differences in contrast sensitivity at high and low spatial frequencies after cataract extraction with in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children presenting with lamellar and posterior subcapsular cataract. Setting Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India. Design Prospective clinical trial. Methods In eyes with lamellar or posterior subcapsular cataract having cataract surgery with Acrysof SN60WF IOL implantation, contrast sensitivity testing was performed using the CSV-1000E sine wave grating test face at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree under photopic (85.0 candelas [cd]/m 2 ) and mesopic (2.7 cd/m 2 ) conditions. The main outcome measures were contrast sensitivity under photopic and mesopic conditions preoperatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was recorded in logMAR units. The effect of the type of cataract and of age at surgery on contrast sensitivity preoperatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively was also evaluated. Results The mean age of 13 patients (22 eyes) was 7.85 years ± 2.6 (SD). There was a statistically significant difference in contrast sensitivity at every timepoint at every spatial frequency under mesopic and photopic conditions. There was also a statistically significant improvement in CDVA from preoperatively to 1 month postoperatively and from 1 month to 3 months postoperatively (both P Conclusion There was a significant improvement in contrast sensitivity at high and low spatial frequencies, even in children older than 4 years, after cataract surgery for lamellar or posterior subcapsular cataract. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
SOCIAL DESIRABILITY OF ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION

The need to achieve, sometimes referred to as achievement motivation, has been studied as a measurable construct by a number of investigators (1, 3, 5. 6). The validity of these measures has been questioned (4, 5). The current investigation focused on one possible reason for the lack of validity, the susceptibility to social desirability response styles. The hypothesis was that a substantial amount of method variance due to item characteristics may be interacting with the stated validity properties of the items, thus confounding interpretability. Stated more directly, chis study investigated the extent to which the items on one achievement motivation measure can be considered characteristic of eliciting social desirability response styles by subjects. Using Hermans' (3) achievement motivation questionnaire. 28 of the 29 items were cmverted from multiple-choice questions to statements. Twenty-seven items were worded in the extremc positive direction and one in the extreme negative direction. Once converted to a single statement, each item was then followed by a nine-interval rating scale to measure the perceived social desirabilicy of the item. This technique, developed by Edwards (2), allows for the averaging of ratings across judges, providing an average social desirability scale value for each item. Twenty-one undergraduate and graduate students ac the University of Oregon who volunteered were asked to rare each item as to its social desirability or undesirability. The distribution of item scale valucs for the achievement motivation questionnaire indicated that 15 of the 28 irems (54%) had scale means significantly different (p < .002, two-tailed) from an expected neutral response mean. Given items so keyed, the opportunity for social desirability response styles to operate on the instrument are maximized. Over half of the items on Hermans' (3) achievement motivation questionnaire are then perceived as being socially desirable. Although this test purports to measure achievement motivation, the measurement of this construct may well be confused by subjects' response to many items' social desirability. REFERENCES
The Future Scientific CCD

Since the first introduction of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) in 1970, CCDs have been considered for applications related to memories, logic circuits, and the detection of visible radiation. It is pointed out, however, that the mass market orientation of CCD development has left largely untapped the enormous potential of these devices for advanced scientific instrumentation. The present paper has, therefore, the objective to introduce the CCD characteristics to the scientific community, taking into account prospects for further improvement. Attention is given to evaluation criteria, a summary of current CCDs, CCD performance characteristics, absolute calibration tools, quantum efficiency, aspects of charge collection, charge transfer efficiency, read noise, and predictions regarding the characteristics of the next generation of silicon scientific CCD imagers.
Propagation of a short laser pulse in a plasma

The propagation of an electromagnetic pulse in a plasma is studied for pulse durations that are comparable to the plasma period. When the carrier frequency of the incident pulse is much higher than the plasma frequency, the pulse propagates without distortion at its group speed. When the carrier frequency is comparable to the plasma frequency, the pulse is distorted and leaves behind it an electromagnetic wake.
Trapping conformational intermediate states in the reaction center protein from photosynthetic bacteria.

In protein, conformational changes are often crucial for function but not easy to observe. Two functionally relevant conformational intermediate states of photosynthetic reaction center protein (RCs) are trapped and characterized at low temperature. RCs frozen in the dark do not allow electron transfer from the reduced primary quinone, QA-, to the secondary quinone, QB. In contrast, RCs frozen under illumination in the product (P+QAQB-) state, with the oxidized electron donor, P+, and reduced QB-, return to the ground state at cryogenic temperature in a conformation that allows a high yield of QB reduction. Thus, RCs frozen under illumination are found to be trapped above the ground state in a conformation that allows product formation. When the temperature is raised above 120 K, the protein relaxes to an inactive conformation which is different from the RCs frozen in the dark. The activation energy for this change is 87 ± 8 meV, and the active and inactive states differ in energy by only 16 ± 3 meV. Thus...
Relationships among seminal culture, seminal white blood cells, and the percentage of primary sperm abnormalities in bulls evaluated prior to the breeding season

Abstract Semen samples from 100 beef breed bulls were evaluated for sperm morphology (phased contrast microscopy), seminal white blood cells, and the presence of potential reproductive pathogens. Eligibility required visualization of the glans penis throughout semen collection. Based on clinical spermiograms, bulls were grouped into normal, marginal, or unsatisfactory morphology classifications. The 3 experimental groups were similar in age and scrotal circumference and differed significantly in the percentage of primary sperm abnormalities. Most semen samples (94%) contained one or more potential reproductive pathogens (Hemophilus somnus, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium. Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Ureaplasma diversum). No significant relationship could be demonstrated between primary abnormalities and the assigned culture score. Our experimental results suggest that clinicians should interpret clinical semen culture results with great care. No significant relationship could be demonstrated between primary abnormalities and assigned white blood cell (WBC) score, although, only 1% of the samples was scored >5 WBC per high power field. The use of seminal WBC score may be valid adjunct to routine semen evaluation when that threshold is the basis for clinical decisions.
Set and gain control of posture in cerebellar and vestibular patients

By examining responses to five predictable amplitudes of surface displacement (backward direction, constant velocity), the ability to scale postural responses using central predictive mechanisms was tested. By examining responses to four different displacement velocities (backward direction, constant amplitude), the ability to scale postural responses using peripheral sensory feedback was tested. Response magnitude was quantified as the initial (first 75 ms) rate of change of surface torque response and plotted as a function of displacement amplitude or velocity to determine whether cerebellar or vestibular loss altered postural response gains. Responses of six patients with bilateral vestibular loss were compared with nine cerebellar patients with anterior lobe signs, and with 10 healthy control subjects with similar mean ages and weights. Results indicate that the vestibular and cerebellar patients had two to three times larger postural responses for all displacement amplitudes and velocities than normal subjects. Despite this increase in response bias, the vestibular patients had normal torque response/stimulus velocity or amplitude relationships. In contrast, cerebellar patients showed normal scaling to stimulus velocity but were unable to scale to predicted stimulus amplitudes. >
Prevalence of shoulder enchondromas on routine MR imaging

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of incidental shoulder enchondromas on routine magnetic resonance (MR) shoulder imaging. Consecutive routine shoulder MR examinations (N=477) performed for suspected internal derangement were reviewed for the presence of incidental enchondromas. Incidental enchondromas were detected on 2.1% of routine MR shoulder examinations, the vast majority abutting the physeal plate. This prevalence is important to appreciate, in order to form a meaningful differential diagnosis of pathologic proximal humerus lesions.
Development of federal homeownership “policy”

Federal programs that have been established with homeownership as an explicit objective have been rare, limited, and often short‐lived. Programs that promote or facilitate homeownership were genera...
The 5th I. E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium: Today’s Students Preparing to Meet Tomorrow’s Challenges in Epidemiology and Plant Disease Management

The Irving E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium is a prestigious annual event that takes place as part of the American Phytopathology Society (APS) annual meeting and is co-sponsored by the APS Epidemiology Committee and the APS Foundation. The I.E. Melhus symposia feature graduate students competitively chosen to present their thesis research results. Criteria for selection include evaluation of the significance of the contribution towards improving our understanding of plant pathology, their communication skills, and letters of nomination.
Determinants of Pregnancy Wantedness: Profiling the Population from an Interventionist Perspective

Although the incidence of unwanted pregnancies has declined since the early 1970s (Pratt and Horn, 1985; Anderson, 1981; Westoff, 1981), large proportions of women continue to experience unwanted pregnancies (Forrest, 1987; Pratt, 1985). Of particular concern to researchers is the well-being of mothers and children from pregnancies that are unwanted or unplanned. In 1982, among women who were ever married, 10 percent of all births were unwanted, and 28 percent mistimed. Among never-married women, fully 25 percent of all births were unwanted, and about half the remaining births were mistimed (Pratt and Horn, 1985). The focus of this research is the exploration of determinants of wantedness among women whose first pregnancies result in live births. Our analyses reflect interest in whether and how pregnancy wantedness is affected by family background characteristics, early formed attitudes, value systems, and socioeconomic aspirations, as well as maternal socio-demographic status at the time of the pregnancy. Policy implications emerge from the findings, particularly concerning differences and similarities in the process determining unwanted first births for blacks and whites.
Characterizations of tight over-sampled affine frame systems and over-sampling rates

Abstract Let M be a dilation matrix, Ψ a finite family of L 2 -functions, and P the collection of all nonsingular matrices P such that M, P, and P M P −1 have integer entries. The objective of this paper is two-fold. First, for each P in P , we characterize all tight affine frames X ( Ψ , M ) generated by Ψ such that the over-sampled affine systems X P ( Ψ , M ) relative to the “over-sampling rate” P remain to be tight frames. Second, we characterize all over-sampling rates P ∈ P , such that the over-sampled affine systems X P ( Ψ , M ) are tight frames whenever the affine system X ( Ψ , M ) is a tight frame. Our second result therefore provides a general and precise formulation of the second over-sampling theorem for tight affine frames.
Theory of Strongly Coupled Many-Fermion Systems. I. Convergence of Linked-Cluster Expansions

A strongly coupled system---the limiting case of a highly degenerate many-fermion system for which the variation of the kinetic energy is neglected, and the interaction restricted to a region of momentum space neighboring the Fermi surface---has been analyzed in a manner not dependent upon assumptions about the convergence of power series expansions or on partial summations of infinite series. The vacuum expectation value of the resolvent operator, ${〈\frac{1}{(H\ensuremath{-}z)}〉}_{0}$, is expressed as the Laplace transform of the exponential of a function linearly dependent on the volume of the system. It is shown that the linked-cluster expansion of the vacuum expectation value of the resolvent operator has a zero radius of convergence as a power series in the coupling constant. The most serious physical consequence of this is that a nontrivial interaction never results in a "normal" system.
Colloidal stability by surface modification

The study of colloids is important in the design of materials for uses ranging from pot making to petroleum refining. This review presents the reasons for instability and different methods for attaining stability in various systems of interest. in this context, both steric and electrostatic stabilization are discussed. Also discussed are surface modification in core-shell technology and the importance of surfactants in emulsions.
Modified method for competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for rapid and automated quantitation of messenger RNA in multiple samples

Background: Competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used increasingly to quantitate messenger RNA (mRNA) levels; however, conventional competitive RT-PCR methods require four or five reactions per sample of RNA, employing serial dilutions of an internal competitor sequence, making analysis of multiple samples a tedious process. A modified method is described by which multiple samples and multiple RNA transcripts can be analyzed easily by an automated process. Methods and Results: Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta-1) mRNA was assayed in total RNA extracted from cultured human skin fibroblasts. A standard solution of total RNA was first prepared by pooling RNA from several cell lines and stored in aliquots. A 270-bp competitor RNA molecule (RNA mimic) was prepared by in vitro transcription and was added to each reaction. PCR was performed with a fluorescent dye (Hex; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA)-labeled sense primer to amplify a 161-bp-long c DNA product of target TGF-beta-1 mRNA sequence and the RNA mimic. The PCR products were analyzed with an automated laser-scanned gel electrophoresis system and the area under the curve (AUC) was used for quantitation. The concentration of TGF-beta-1 mRNA in standard RNA was determined by conventional competitive RT-PCR. Subsequently, equal amounts of RNA mimic were mixed with four serial dilutions of standard RNA and 0.1 μg of sample total RNA for RT-PCR. A standard curve was generated using the known dilutions of a standard target RNA solution and ratio of AUC for target to that for mimic for each dilution. The unknown sample was then quantitated by interpolation of its area under the curve ratio on the standard curve. This method had inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation of less than 10%. Conclusions: This modification is highly reproducible for quantitation of mRNA and significantly reduces the number of PCR reactions required for each assay. It can be used to assay several RNA molecules in a given sample by designing RNA mimics and PCR primers to generate PCR products of different lengths so that they can be analyzed by the laser scanning of a single lane of electrophoretic gel.
Measurement of the Resistance to Fluid Flow within the Lacrimal Outflow System

Background: Although the presence of complete obstruction within the human lacrimal drainage system can be easily determined with diagnostic techniques currently available, it is not possible to quantitate degrees of partial obstruction. The authors have developed a new instrument that directly measures pressures associated with fluid flow, allowing the calculation (pressure ÷ flow) of resistance within the tear drainage system. The authors believe that the ability to measure the degree of partial lacrimal stenosis quantitatively will be clinically useful, allowing the diagnosis of lacrimal disease before complete obstruction. Of course, it is first necessary to establish normal values, which was the goal of the study. Methods: A constant flow rate of distilled water was irrigated into the lacrimal system through the lower canaliculus, and pressure was measured continuously. Resistance then was calculated as the differential of pressure to flow rate (pressure flow). In the first stage of a two-part study, the authors determined the resistance to fluid flow in 43 tear ducts of 24 healthy patients. In this group, the resistance within the entire lacrimal system was obtained. In the second stage of this study, the authors measured the resistance in 28 tear ducts of 26 patients after successful lacrimal bypass surgery (dacryocystorhinostomy). Because dacryocystorhinostomy bypasses the lower drainage system (sac and nasolacrimal duct), the resistance measured in this group of patients was determined only by the upper (canalicular) system. Results: The mean resistance within the normal lacrimal system is 49.5 ± 17.0 mmHg · seconds/ml. Just more than half of the resistance, 26.8 ± 13.1 mmHg · seconds/ ml (54%), comes from the canaliculi, leaving 22.7 mmHg · seconds/ml (46%) attributable to the lower system. The authors comment on comparisons between these values and theoretical values calculated using information on average dimensions obtained from casts of the lacrimal drainage system. Conclusion: The authors have developed a new instrument to measure the resistance to fluid flow within the human lacrimal outflow system, and resistance values in control subjects have been documented.
Pharmaceutical patent expropriation and technology strategy: strategic options to compulsory licensing

Developing country governments in Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, have legislated the controversial business practices of compulsory licensing and parallel importing of HIV/AIDS drug therapies – allowing for the domestic manufacture or foreign importing of HIV/AIDS generic drug therapies without the consent of the patent holding pharmaceutical industry companies. This article provides a descriptive overview of the economic structure of the global pharmaceutical industry and reviews exceptions (compulsory licensing/parallel importing) to the World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement on intellectual property rights protection. The article also explains the generic technology strategy of the global pharmaceutical industry, with special emphasis placed on the proprietary sector of the pharmaceutical industry. The author offers an analysis of alternative strategic options, including (1) foregoing patenting in developing countries; (2) compa...
A Rigorous Phase Noise Analysis of Tuned Ring Oscillators

Tuned ring oscillators have found numerous applications due to their ability to generate multiple phases at high frequencies of operation while maintaining high signal purity. However, a comprehensive phase noise theory that explains the phase noise performance of tuned rings as a function of design parameters such as the number of elements and inter element phase shift is lacking. This paper rigorously builds such a theory and demonstrates that the phase noise improves by a factor of 10log10N as the number of elements (N) is increased. Further, the phase noise deteriorates (by a factor of 40log10cosDeltaPhi at least) when the inter element phase shift DeltaPhi is increased. In the context of multiple phase generation, under a fixed current budget, we demonstrate that it is beneficial to use a larger ring sizes. Extensive GHz-range simulations as well as measurements of prototype oscillators validate these claims
Carrier relaxation and luminescence polarization in quantum wells

A theory of polarization of luminescence in doped and undoped quantum wells is constructed taking into account the relaxation processes of photoexcited electrons and holes. The hole momentum relaxation by acoustic-phonon interaction yields spin relaxation through the spin mixing of the hole band states, resulting in incomplete spin depolarization in quantum wells. Our theory of hole-phonon interaction in symmetric quantum wells leads to the concept of relaxation through two channels conserving or changing the parity of the hole state. Calculation of the polarization spectra for undoped, n-type-doped, and p-type-doped GaAs/${\mathrm{Al}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{\mathit{x}}$As quantum wells produces an explanation of all the observed features in the spectra.
Onset of a transverse dynamics in the THz spectrum of water

This paper reports on a high resolution/high contrast measurement of the spectrum of heavy water achieved by two complementary techniques, Inelastic Neutron and X-Ray Scattering. The mutual consistency between the spectral shapes measured by the two methods is subjected to thorough scrutiny and the results of their combined best fit are discussed. In particular, the presence of a low frequency mode related to shear propagation is studied in connection with the structural relaxation active in water at lower frequencies. The best fit analysis leads to the conclusion that the onset of a shear mode can only be observed at timescales approaching the solid-like regime, i.e. before internal rearrangements of the structure are fully accomplished. Finally, it is shown that the lifetime of the low frequency mode is fully consistent with the one predicted for a shear wave approaching the macroscopic limit.
Psychologic testing (controlled association test) and protein-nicotonic acid consumption

1. The diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia of pellagra has been well-identified with a nicotinic acid-tryptophan deficiency. 2. No published reports attempt to quantitate the possible relationships of this same deficiency to prodromal nonspecific psychologic findings. 3. Within the limits of these observations, there does appear to be a correlation between nicotinic acid and protein consumption, independently and in combination, and a controlled word association test (Cornell Word Form-2). 4. Because of this exciting relationship, an attempt will be made in a subsequent report to study the relationship of nicotinic acid-protein consumption and another and different semi-quantitative measure of psychologic state (the emotional disturbance score).
Multiple-quanta vortices at columnar defects.

The possibility of the formation of multiple-quanta vortices on columnar defects (CD's) produced by ion irradiation is discussed. It is shown that the upper-critical field for localized superconductivity near CD's depends nonmonotonously on the CD radius.
Responses of rostral fastigial neurons to linear acceleration in an alert monkey

Vestibular-only neuronal responses to angular acceleration have been systematically characterized in the rostral fastigial nucleus (FN) by several studies. However, responses of these neurons to linear acceleration have not been examined. In this study, we recorded single-unit activity of vestibular-only neurons in an alert monkey during pure sinusoidal linear acceleration along different directions in the horizontal plane. Spatiotemporal response properties were quantified by computing two-dimensional response ellipses in the horizontal plane. Based on this analysis, neurons were classified as narrowly or broadly tuned. About 29% (5/17) of neurons were broadly tuned. The other 71% (12/17) were narrowly tuned. Unlike vestibular nuclei neurons, all recorded FN neurons exhibited irregular resting discharge rates (CV*0.2). Based on studies of linear motion-sensitive neurons in the vestibular nuclei, the data suggest that irregular neurons in the rostral FN and the vestibular nuclei have similar responses to linear acceleration in behaving monkeys.
Evaluation of Optimal Sub-Nanosecond Excitation Waveforms in Generating Transmembrane Voltages in Cells for Bio-Effects

Summary form only given. The use of very high electric fields (~500 kV/cm or higher) with pulse durations in the sub-nanosecond range has been a very recent development in bio-electrics. There appear to be inherent advantages in using short electric pulses such as: (i) negligible thermal heating, (ii) the possibility of selecting the desired time scales through pulse width manipulation, and (iii) the ability to create large trans-membrane potentials across subcellular organelles. This latter can effectively open the way to intra-cellular electromanipulation. The time-dependent transmembrane potential generated across cell membranes can be fashioned by the characteristics of the external excitation. However, at the present time it is not clear what the optimal waveform should be, or the efficiency of generating transmembrane potentials by the ultra-fast, subnanosecond pulses. From a practical standpoint, such excitation typically has "pre-pulses" and oscillatory components. In order to gauge possible bioeffects, an important first step in this subnanosecond arena appears to be theoretical predictions based on modeling. This contribution addresses this aspect. A theoretical analysis has been performed that includes variability m the excitation pulse waveform and details of the dielectric function leading to non-local effects in time. Results on the time-dependent evolution of the transmembrane potential will be presented. Extensions to multiple pulsing and implications for wave-shaping will be discussed.
Geographic Information Systems Librarianship: Suggestions for Entry-Level Academic Professionals

Future Geographic Information Systems (GIS) librarians face a number of challenges that other Library and Information Studies (LIS) graduates may not when preparing for a career in academic librarianship. This article discusses these challenges and offers suggestions to help entry-level GIS librarians begin successful and rewarding careers.
The effect of raloxifene on the uterine weight response in immature mice exposed to 17β-estradiol, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane, and methoxychlor

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of raloxifene on the uterine responses to both estradiol and the environmental estrogens 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2- bis ( p -chlorophenyl)ethane and methoxychlor in immature mice. Study Design: Immature female mice received the following compounds alone or in combination: sesame oil (control), 17β-estradiol 1 mg/kg body weight, tamoxifen 1 mg/kg body weight, raloxifene 5 mg/kg body weight, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2- bis ( p -chlorophenyl)ethane 10 mg/kg body weight, and methoxychlor 10 mg/kg body weight. The animals were treated subcutaneously once a day for 5 consecutive days with the compound or compounds of interest in 0.1 mL sesame oil. Approximately 24 hours after the final treatment the animals were killed and the uteri were excised, stripped of remaining fat and mesentery, and weighed. Groups were analyzed with analysis of variance. Results: Estradiol increased the mean (±SE) weight from 20 ± 6.4 mg (as measured in the control group) to 77 ± 6.2 mg. Tamoxifen increased uterine weight to 60 ± 6.2 mg; however, raloxifene had no effect on uterine weight. Both 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2- bis ( p -chlorophenyl)ethane and methoxychlor increased uterine weight significantly, to 82 ± 2.4 mg and 35 ± 6.0 mg respectively. When raloxifene was coadministered with 17β-estradiol it did not block the increase in uterine weight; however, when raloxifene was coadministered with 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2- bis ( p -chlorophenyl)ethane or methoxychlor, it completely blocked the uterine weight gain induced by either xenoestrogen. Conclusion: Raloxifene blocked the xenoestrogens 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2- bis ( p -chlorophenyl)ethane and methoxychlor but did not block 17β-estradiol in the mouse model described. These results suggest that the xenoestrogens exert their estrogenic activities through a different site on the estrogen receptor or through a different mechanism than 17β-estradiol. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1099-102.)
Time domain dynamics of the asymmetric magnetization reversal in exchange biased bilayers

We have explored the dynamics of magnetization reversal asymmetry in exchange biased $\mathrm{Fe}{\mathrm{F}}_{2}∕\mathrm{Fe}$ bilayers using subnanosecond time-resolved Kerr magnetometry. The data reveal an increase in the characteristic precession frequency with decreasing temperature, even above the N\'eel temperature of the antiferromagnet, which we interpret in terms of the previously observed anisotropy enhancement due to antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations. Below the N\'eel point the magnetization precession is strongly suppressed due to the damping provided by exchange coupling to the antiferromagnetic layer. Dynamic hysteresis loops measured at a fixed delay between the magnetic field pulse and the optical probe pulse reveal distinct reversal asymmetry that is not observed in the corresponding static loops. The asymmetry takes the form of a suppression of the Kerr rotation signal in the part of the hysteresis loop where nucleation of reverse domains is energetically favorable. The formation of reverse domains prevents the magnetization from rotating coherently on nanosecond time scales. The temperature dependence of this dynamic asymmetry is found to be nonmonotonic and appears to be correlated with the coercivity.
Learning Microarray Cancer Datasets by Random Forests and Support Vector Machines

Analyzing gene expression data from microarray devices has many important applications in medicine and biology: the diagnosis of disease, accurate prognosis for particular patients, and understanding the response of a disease to drugs, to name a few. Two classifiers, random forests and support vector machines are studied in application to micro array cancer data sets. Performance of classifiers with different numbers of genes were evaluated in hope to find out if a smaller number of good genes gives a better classification rate.
A Histomorphometric Study of Bone Changes in Thyroid Dysfunction in Rats

Clinical studies in thyrotoxicosis reveal a state of high bone turnover leading, eventually, to osteoporosis. Recently there has been concern that thyroxine (T4) treatment may have a similar effect on bone. Rat models have been used to study the effects of T4 on bone, but the majority of studies have looked at the effects of T4 after only 3 weeks of treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate histomorphometric changes in rats after 12 weeks of thyroxine overtreatment or 12 weeks of hypothyroidism compared with untreated control animals. Animals received either T4 200 μg/kg per day, 0.1% propylthiouracil, or vehicle for 12 weeks. Tetracycline was administered 1 week and 3 weeks prior to killing. Iliac crest bone was used for histomorphometry. Serum T4 measurements (taken at killing) confirmed hyper- and hypothyroidism in the appropriate animal groups (between group difference p < 0.001 by ANOVA). In hyperthyroid animals there was an increase in mineral apposition rate (MAR; 0.94 vs. 0.59 μm/day, p < 0.001) and mineral formation rate (MFR/BS; 0.24 vs. 0.12 × 10−2 μm3/μm2 per day, p < 0.001) and a slight increase in eroded surfaces (ES/BS%; 1.54 vs. 1.36, p < 0.05) compared with controls, consistent with previous in vitro and in vivo observations. In hypothyroid rats there was a marked reduction in osteoid surfaces (OS/BS%; 1.7 vs. 24.8, p < 0.001) and MAR (0.3 vs. 0.59 μg/day, p < 0.001), a reduction in ES/BS% (0.51 vs. 1.36, p < 0.05), and an increase in cancellous bone volume (BV/ TV%; 30.29 vs. 19.6, p < 0.05), suggesting that thyroid hormones are a requirement for normal bone turnover. This study characterizes the histomorphometric changes following 12 weeks of T4 overtreatment in rats and demonstrates profound changes due to hypothyroidism in a rat model. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study to show such effects in an animal model.
Long-term outcomes after surgical and nonsurgical management of chronic pelvic pain: One year after evaluation in a pelvic pain specialty clinic

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe long-term outcomes for women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) after evaluation in a CPP specialty clinic. Study design This was a prospective observational cohort study of women treated for CPP at the UNC Pelvic Pain clinic between 1993 and 2000. The primary outcome was improvement in pain and the main exposure was treatment group: primarily medical (pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, physical therapy, or combinations of the 3) or surgical (hysterectomy, resection or ablative procedures, oophrectomy, diagnostic surgery, pain mapping, vulvar or vestibular repair). Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were performed to look for relationships between background characteristics, treatment group, and improvement in pain. Results Of 370 participants; 189 had surgical treatment and 181 had medical treatment. One year after evaluation, 46% reported improvement in pain and 32% improvement in depression. Improvement in pain was similar in both treatment groups and odds of improvement were equal even after adjusting for background characteristics, psychosocial comorbidity, and previous treatments. Conclusion One year after evaluation in a CPP specialty clinic, women experienced modest improvements in pain and depression after recommended surgical or nonsurgical treatment.
Radiation shielding requirements for manned satellites.

The radiation shielding requirements for the protection of the crews of manned satellites are investigated. Two diverse types of missions are studied: a long-duration, high-altitude mission above the Van Alien Belt, and a short-duration, low-altitude, polar mission below it. Radiobiological tolerance criteria are considered, and a criterion based on partial recovery of sustained somatic damage is examined for the long-duration mission. Model solar flare, cosmic, and Van Alien Belt radiation environments are postulated. Radiation transport calculations are carried out to obtain the biological doses due to the various environmental components. Curves of dose vs shielding thickness, together with the model environments and the postulated radiobiological tolerance criteria, are used to calculate minimum amounts of shielding. For the high-altitude mission, results show that considerable savings in shielding weight are obtained if a radiation recovery criterion, rather than a straight cumulativedose criterion, is used. For the low-altitude mission, the effects of different geomagnetic field models in modifying the free-space dose and the results of using different target models are illustrated.
Cutaneous venodilation in response to systemic hypoxemia in dogs.

Abstract Experiments were performed in chloralose anesthetized dogs to test if the saphenous vein (a cutaneous vein) participates in the cardiovascular response to systemic hypoxemia. The saphenous vein was perfused at constant flow with cooled blood (32°C) from the terminal aorta. Sixteen paralyzed (gallamine triethiodide) animals were ventilated with 10% O 2 in N 2 for 4-min episodes; arterial PO 2 was 49 ± 4 mm Hg after 4 min of ventilation with this gas mixture. Hypoxemia caused a 29% decrease in saphenous vein perfusion pressure (interpreted as a dilation) and an 8% increase in aortic pressure. The hypoxemia induced saphenous venous dilation was abolished by (1) section of the vagus nerves and denervation of the carotid chemoreceptors (afferent pathways), or (2) section of the lumbar sympathetic chain (efferent pathway). These data demonstrate that systemic hypoxemia causes a neurally mediated dilation of the saphenous vein that is dependent upon intact carotid chemoreceptors and/or vagus nerves. It is concluded that saphenous vein dilation is part of the integrated cardiovascular response to hypoxemia in anesthetized dogs. This reflex effect may represent a decompensatory mechanism that compromises cardiac output during hypoxemia in animals with hypothermic extremities.
Demethylimipramine (Desipramine), an α-adrenergic blocking agent

La demethylimipramine (desipramine) inhibe la contraction provoquee par la norepinephrine dans les bandelettes spirales des vaissaux du lapin, mais non celle produite dans les memes vaissaux par la serotonine ou l'angiotensine. Son action est synergique avec celle de la phentolamine. On suppose que la desipramine possede a la fois une action inhibant la captation («uptake») des catecholamines par les terminaisons nerveuses et une autre bloquant les sites recepteurs α-adrenergiques.
HIGH TEMPERATURE EXTREMES IN AUSTRALIA

ABSTRACT Magnitude-frequency analysis by the Gumbel method of temperature records at 166 Australian stations produced data for maps of extreme temperatures at recurrence intervals of 1.58, 2.33, five, ten, twenty-five, fifty, and 100 years on the annual series, plus a generalized map of actual values for the 100-year interval. Whereas the extremes for recurrence intervals up to about twenty-five years conform well to the Theory of Extreme Values, those for greater recurrence intervals produce convex-upward graphs, suggesting a similarity to Gumbel's Type III probability. In some parts of the continent ranges between the 1.58-year and the 100-year extremes are small. Graphs for some very exposed coastal stations flatten abruptly in their upper ranges. Sample occurrences of absolute extremes at selected stations involved unusual transport of cTW air from the interior at low levels across the coastlands in association with patterns of cyclonicity and anticyclonicity that for the most part contrast with most ...
Trends in Embedded Systems--A Microsoft Perspective

A poster on my office door declares, "98% of all CPUs shipped today are destined for devices"; I declare, Embedded Systems are one of the most exciting areas in contemporary computer systems engineering. Microsoft has addressed this field, not only with research activities where I am focused, but in a wide range of products from the powerhouse Xbox 360 game console, through the increasingly ubiquitous Windows Mobile PDAs and Smartphones, to the diminutive MSN Direct watch and its cousin devices. We are also well-known for our hardware devices such as mice, keyboards and other input devices - all of which are embedded systems in their own right. For third party device manufacturers, we provide a rich range of platform technologies in the Windows Embedded family. Last but not least, in December 2006 we released the Microsoft Robotics Studio, with a view to helping the birth of a new generation of intelligent embedded machines. My talk will aim to provide a personal perspective on Microsoft's interests in this vast and exciting field, with a view to suggesting some implications on the teaching of such technologies to prepare the next generation of engineers.
The role of gaseous adsorption in thermal coatings degradation.

Gases effects on UV irradiated thermal control materials spectral reflectance, discussing tests and photolysis mechanisms
Conservative alternative to full esthetic crowns

Several alternatives to full esthetic crowns have been presented. Preparation techniques and factors to be used in patient selection have been discussed for using all-metal esthetic retainers. Problems that arise from the indiscriminate use of full-coverage crowns must not be overlooked. Adjunctive esthetic retainers such as pinledges, three-quarter crowns, and inlays can be used to provide a functional, conservative alternative to full crowns while maintaining maximum esthetics.
Interplay between bit pattern randomness, delayed Raman response, and cross phase modulation in massive multichannel optical fiber transmission lines

Abstract We study the interplay between bit pattern randomness, cross phase modulation (XPM) and delayed Raman response in massive on–off-keyed (OOK) multichannel optical fiber transmission lines. We find that the interplay between Raman-induced crosstalk and XPM-induced position shift is the dominant mechanism for error generation at intermediate propagation distances, while at longer distances, the interplay between Raman-induced cross frequency shift and Raman crosstalk is dominant. For systems with a jump in the number of channels at a distance z = z1, we observe a rapid change in the frequency profile of the bit-error-rate (BER) for z > z1. As a result of this change, the BER for z > z1 is highest for the outermost frequency channels. We attribute the change in the frequency profile of the BER to Raman crosstalk effects, whose strength increases as the square of the number of channels and channel index. Our results quantitatively illustrate that analysis of pulse dynamics in a few central channels is unlikely to provide an accurate evaluation of system performance in massive OOK multichannel transmission.
Exploring the potential of a handheld participatory simulation and social network application for revealing decision-making processes for information seeking amongst middle school students

In this study a participatory simulation called the Discussion Game combined with TeCFlow, a temporal social networks visualization program is used to identify socially and cognitively-oriented rules for selecting discussion partners. Whereas, the majority of rules for previous interactions are based on social or random factors, after studying social network graphs, students cite more cognitive or informational factors as reasons for who to talk to.
Genetic and antigenic differences between fowlpox and quailpox viruses.

The genomes of a fowlpox and quailpox virus isolate were compared by restriction enzyme analysis using BamHI, EcoRI, and HindIII endonucleases. The genetic profiles of the two virus species were very distinct with fragments lacking similar electrophoretic mobilities. In contrast, the patterns of three quailpox virus isolates were very similar with a high proportion of co-migrating fragments. When the immunogenic proteins of two quailpox, three fowlpox, a juncopox, and a pigeonpox virus isolate were examined by immunoblotting, common as well as unique antigens were detected. The greatest disparity was between quailpox virus and the other three species which are genomically conserved. Therefore, on the basis of genetic as well as immunological analysis, quailpox virus is a distinct species of the genusAvipoxvirus.
Photo-acoustic and photo-refractive detection of small absorptions in liquids

Abstract The sensitivities of pulsed photo-acoustic and photo-refractive (e.g., thermal lensing) techniques for the measurement of small absorptions in liquids have been evaluated both theoretically and experimentally. Electrostriction limits the sensitivity of both techniques, this limitation is less severe for the photo-refractive technique. The minimum absorption constants observed experimentally, for a 200-μm laser spot size in liquid N 2 , are 4 × 10 -5 cm -1 for the photo-acoustic measurement and 6 × 10 -7 cm -1 for the photo-refractive measurement. The calculated electrostrictive limits are 2 × 10 -5 cm -1 and 7 × 10 -11 cm -1 , respectively.