cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Syphilis Exposure in Patients with Uveitis

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency of syphilis exposure in patients with uveitis, identify patient characteristics associated with serologic fluorescent treponemal antibody assays (FTA-ABS) reactivity, and examine the clinical implications of syphilis exposure in patients with uveitis. Methods: A retrospective review of the records of 552 consecutive patients examined in the referral uveitis clinic of an urban eye hospital between January 1989 and January 1994 was performed. Results: Forty-four (8%) of 552 consecutive patients with uveitis had serologic evidence of syphilis exposure on the basis of a strongly reactive serum FTA-ABS. Syphilis was presumed to be the sole cause of uveitis in 24 patients (4.3%) over the 5-year period. The racial demographic profile of those patients with serologic evidence of syphilis was consistent with the reported distribution of syphilis cases, but there were relatively few identifiable risk factors for sexually transmitted disease (including only three patients who were positive with human immunodeficiency virus). The choice of antibiotic treatment of these patients was variable and sometimes suboptimal. Conclusions: This study implicates syphilis exposure as a more common etiology of uveitis than did previous reports, advocates routine serum FTA-ABS testing of patients with uveitis, and indicates a need for a more aggressive role of the ophthalmologist in antibiotic treatment of patients with uveitis and syphilis exposure.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Obesity. Pathophysiology and Implications for Treatment

Although the etiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is multifactorial, the pathophysiology of the disease in morbidly obese patients remains incompletely understood. The aims of this study were to compare in morbidly obese (body mass index (BMI) > or =35) and nonmorbidly patients (BMI 14.7). Patients were divided into two groups according to the BMI: (1) 520 patients (86.8%) with BMI or =35. While the DeMeester score was not different between the two groups, morbidly obese patients had higher LES pressure and higher amplitude of peristalsis in the distal esophagus (DEA). Among these patients, LES and DEA pressures were often hypertensive. A linear regression model showed that BMI, LES pressure, LES abdominal length, and DEA were independently associated with the DeMeester score. These data showed that: (a) BMI was independently associated to the severity of GERD; and (b) in most morbidly obese patients with GERD, reflux occurred despite normal or hypertensive esophageal motility. These findings show that the pathophysiology of GERD in morbidly obese patients might differ from that of nonobese patients, suggesting the need for a different therapeutic approach.
John B. “Jack” Townshend (1927–2012)

Jack Townshend, geophysicist and dedicated public servant, died on 13 August 2012 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was 85. Jack's career with the federal government, most of it with the national magnetic observatory program, spanned more than six solar cycles of time, and he retired only days before his death. The duration of Jack's career encompassed an important period in the history of the advancement of our understanding of the Earth. Jack's career of contributions, his life, and his personality are worthy of retrospective celebration.
CITY MANAGERS: Do They Promote Fiscal Efficiency?

: Debate over the virtues of one or another form of municipal government has raged since the early days of the reform movement. Proponents of professional municipal management have based their argument on the virtues of having a person trained and practiced in the skills needed to manage the diverse operations and functions that make up the modern city. This line of reasoning encompasses the premise that professional management brings efficiency to municipal management. However, little research has focused on this aspect of professional management. This study uses data from a nationwide survey of cities to test the hypothesis that cities with professional management achieve measurable efficiencies compared to cities without such management. These efficiencies include reduced levels of municipal expenditures and property taxes. The results of this analysis provide significant new information for both scholars and practitioners.
β-galactosylceramide alters invariant natural killer T cell function and is effective treatment for lupus

Abstract NZB/W female mice spontaneously develop systemic lupus, an autoantibody mediated disease associated with immune complex glomerulonephritis. Natural killer (NK) T cells augment anti-dsDNA antibody secretion by NZB/W B cells in vitro, and blocking NKT cell activation in vivo with anti-CD1 mAb ameliorates lupus disease activity. In the current study, we show that β-galactosylceramide reduces the in vivo induction of serum IFN-γ and/or IL-4 by the potent NKT cell agonist α-galactosylceramide and reduces NKT cell helper activity for IgG secretion. Treatment of NZB/W mice with the β-galactosylceramide ameliorated lupus disease activity as judged by improvement in proteinuria, renal histopathology, IgG anti-dsDNA antibody formation, and survival. In conclusion, β-galactosylceramide, a glycolipid that reduces the cytokine secretion induced by a potent NKT cell agonist ameliorates lupus in NZB/W mice.
Comparison of fully relativistic energy bands and cohesive energies of MoSi 2 and WSi 2

After correcting small errors in our previous ${\mathrm{WSi}}_{2}$ calculations, we compare the equilibrium bond length and symmetric optical phonon frequency of ${\mathrm{MoSi}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{WSi}}_{2}$ calculated self-consistently using the semirelativistic norm-conserving pseudopotential. At the equilibrium bond length, fully relativistic calculations of the energy bands, projected densities of states, cohesive energy, bonding charge density, and Fermi surfaces are compared.
A Color for the Modern Nation: The Discourse on Class, Race, and Education in the Porteño Middle Class

En los anos 1997 y 1998, varios movimientos sociales portenos de dase media se oponian a la reforma de la educacion impulsada por el FMI y el gobierno neoliberal de Carlos Menem. En este articulo se analiza como el discurso politico y social generado pos esos movimientos y parte de la clase media portena segufa proponiendo la dicotomia sarmientina de una "civilization" blanca y europea como unico antidoto a la "barbarie" latinoamericana propulsada por el gobierno neoliberal/peronista, y aparentemente respaldada por los sectores populares mestizos
Geospatial Modeling of Site Suitability for Pond-Based Tilapia and Clarias Farming in Uganda

Seven criteria (water requirement, water temperature, soil texture, terrain slope, potential farm gate sales, availability of farm inputs, and access to local and regional markets) were analyzed to determine site suitability for tilapia and clarias farming in Uganda. Crisp and fuzzy approaches of criterion classification were implemented using GIS, and the results were compared. There was a statistically significant difference between maps generated by crisp and fuzzy approaches. For both the crisp and the fuzzy approaches, over 98% of the land was classified as moderately suitable or suitable. Overall, the crisp method classified 16,322 hectares (0.09%) as very suitable compared to zero hectares (0%) by the fuzzy method. Simultaneously, the crisp method gave 297,344 hectares (1.96%) as unsuitable compared to 168,592 hectares (0.96%) by the fuzzy method. Of the 138 surveyed fishponds that were operational, the crisp method classified 71% as suitable and 29% as moderately suitable, while the fuzzy method c...
Macromolecular contaminants in penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics

High-molecular weight materials in penicillin G, methicillin, ampicillin, and cephalothin were isolated by ultrafiltration utilizing Diaflo UM-10 membranes and dialysis in Visking casing. The quantities of macromolecules recovered from 10 Gm. of the antibiotics varied from as little as 0.7 mg. from penicillin G to as much as 72 mg. from cephalothin. Infra-red spectroscopy revealed that these retentates differed from the original crystalline antibiotics and from one another in their spectra. Amino acid analysis of retentates from methicillin and cephalothin showed amino acids not present in similar analyses of parent antibiotics. However, only a small portion, 1 to 3 per cent, of the weight of retentates was recovered as amino acids, and in control experiments with distilled water comparable quantities of amino acids were recovered during the dialysis step of our isolation procedure. The remainder of the retentates was not chemically characterized but may represent polymers formed from the antibiotics. These results indicate that there are considerable differences in the quantities of macromolecules derived from these antibiotics and that these are largely composed of substances other than protein.
MDAT: a multithreading debugging and testing tool

MDAT is a multithreaded testing and debugging tool designed for students learning to program with multiple threads. MDAT automatically generates random schedules to allow students to more thoroughly test their programs. The design of MDAT takes full control over the scheduling allowing a failing run to be reproduced. To assist debugging, MDAT includes an output trace that shows the status of all threads, locks, and semaphores in the program and has an interactive mode that allows students to try out their own schedules. MDAT was effective at detecting deadlock and mutual exclusion violations in student submissions of the unisex restroom problem.
Redox biology in normal cells and cancer: restoring function of the redox/Fyn/c-Cbl pathway in cancer cells offers new approaches to cancer treatment

This review discusses a unique discovery path starting with novel findings on redox regulation of precursor cell and signaling pathway function and identification of a new mechanism by which relatively small changes in redox status can control entire signaling networks that regulate self-renewal, differentiation, and survival. The pathway central to this work, the redox/Fyn/c-Cbl (RFC) pathway, converts small increases in oxidative status to pan-activation of the c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase, which controls multiple receptors and other proteins of central importance in precursor cell and cancer cell function. Integration of work on the RFC pathway with attempts to understand how treatment with systemic chemotherapy causes neurological problems led to the discovery that glioblastomas (GBMs) and basal-like breast cancers (BLBCs) inhibit c-Cbl function through altered utilization of the cytoskeletal regulators Cool-1/βpix and Cdc42, respectively. Inhibition of these proteins to restore normal c-Cbl function suppresses cancer cell division, increases sensitivity to chemotherapy, disrupts tumor-initiating cell (TIC) activity in GBMs and BLBCs, controls multiple critical TIC regulators, and also allows targeting of non-TICs. Moreover, these manipulations do not increase chemosensitivity or suppress division of nontransformed cells. Restoration of normal c-Cbl function also allows more effective harnessing of estrogen receptor-α (ERα)-independent activities of tamoxifen to activate the RFC pathway and target ERα-negative cancer cells. Our work thus provides a discovery strategy that reveals mechanisms and therapeutic targets that cannot be deduced by standard genetics analyses, which fail to reveal the metabolic information, isoform shifts, protein activation, protein complexes, and protein degradation critical to our discoveries.
The Northeast U.S. continental shelf Energy Modeling and Analysis exercise (EMAX): Ecological network model development and basic ecosystem metrics

Abstract During the past half-century notable changes have occurred in the Northeast U.S. (NEUS) Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (LME). To understand how the system functions as a whole, to evaluate the potential responses of this ecosystem to numerous human-induced perturbations, and to elucidate the relative magnitude of key biota and processes, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center instituted the Energy Modeling and Analysis eXercise (EMAX). The primary goal of EMAX was to establish an ecological network model (i.e., a more nuanced energy budget) of the entire Northeast U.S. food web. The EMAX work focused on the interdisciplinary development of a network model which reflected contemporary conditions (1996–2000) in four major regions of the ecosystem:, Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, Southern New England and Middle Atlantic Bight. The model had 36 network “nodes” or biomass state variables across a broad range of the biological hierarchy within each trophic level and incorporated a wide range of key rate processes. Because this ecosystem has been relatively well studied many of the biomass estimates were based on field measurements and biomass estimates from the scientific literature were required only for a relatively small number of nodes. The emphasis of EMAX was to explore the particular role of small pelagic fishes in the ecosystem. Our results show that small pelagic fishes are indeed keystone species in the ecosystem. We examined a suite of novel ecosystem metrics as we compared the four regions and provided a general, system-level description of the NEUS ecosystem. The general patterns of the network properties in the four regions were similar; however the network indices and metrics did reveal some noteworthy differences among regions reflecting their different oceanographic and faunal characteristics. The process of compiling and evaluating available data required by an ecosystem network model identified important gaps in our understanding which should be addressed during future ecosystem surveys. Moreover, exercises like EMAX will be a valuable starting point as we continue to progress towards ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM).
Pharmacotherapy: Cardiovascular effects of aldosterone blockade in CKD.

The results of the CRIB-2 trial, which show that the mineralocorticoid receptor blocker (MRB) spironolactone improves left ventricular mass and aortic stiffness in patients with early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), provide impetus for large-scale clinical trials to evaluate the effects of this strategy on clinical outcomes. The optimum choice of MRB and its dose, however, remain uncertain given the potential risk of hyperkalemia in patients with CKD.
Effect of Exercise on Depressive Symptoms in Adults With Neurologic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Objectives To review and quantify the effect of exercise on depression in adults with neurologic disorders. Data Sources CINAHL, Cochrane Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, EMBASE, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus were searched, with the last search performed in May 2014. Study Selection Included were randomized controlled trials conducted in adults with a diagnosed neurologic disorder that compared an exercise intervention group with a control group and used depression as an outcome measure. Data Extraction Depression data were extracted independently by 2 authors. Methodological quality was assessed independently by 2 authors. Data Synthesis Forty-three full-length articles were reviewed, and 26 trials met our inclusion criteria. These trials represented 1324 participants with 7 different neurologic disorders: Alzheimer disease (n=4 trials), migraine (n=1), multiple sclerosis (n=13), Parkinson disease (n=2), spinal cord injury (n=1), stroke (n=2), and traumatic brain injury (n=3). Data measuring depression were extracted and effect sizes were computed for 23 trials. Results from a meta-analysis yielded an overall effect size of .28 (SE=.07; 95% confidence interval, .15–.41; P =.00) favoring a reduction in depression outcomes after an exercise intervention compared with the control condition. Of note, interventions that met physical activity guidelines yielded an overall effect of .38 compared with .19 for studies that did not meet physical activity guidelines. Conclusions This review provides evidence that exercise, particularly when meeting physical activity guidelines, can improve depressive symptoms in adults with neurologic disorders.
Characterization of Electrochemical Array Detection for Continuous Channel Electrophoretic Separations in Micrometer and Submicrometer Channels

Characterization of a microfabricated electrochemical array detection scheme used for continuous electrophoretic separations in narrow channels is described. The amperometric detector consists of 100 platinum microelectrodes (95 μm wide, 1.2−2 mm long, 0.12 μm high, each spaced by 5 μm) and has been previously used in channel structures with internal heights as small as ∼21 μm. Here, the ability to differentiate both mass and concentration changes of dopamine is demonstrated in 8-μm-internal height channel structures with electrochemical detection. Characterization of the array detector to provide insight into the nonuniform sensitivity observed with the microfabricated electrophoresis−electrochemical array detection technique is detailed. Approaches to circumvent the nonuniform sensitivity of the microelectrode array are described. Finally, we push the limits of the fabrication technology with the construction and use of submicrometer internal height (∼0.6 μm) rectangular channel structures.
Transient midventricular ballooning: a case report and review of the literature.

Background We describe a case of transient left midventricular ballooning in 68-year-old male patient presented with picture of acute coronary syndrome.
Official state lists of endangered, threatened, or rare species

Following enactment of the federal Endangered Species Act in 1973, a variety of organizations proceeded to establish lists of endangered, threatened, or rare species of wildlife that they believed fell within their purview. State lists, as opposed to regional or national lists, are of particular importance because they form a rigorous record of the status of species in small, well‐defined geographic areas. State lists also indicate the development status of legal management efforts in the various states and are, therefore, predictors of how rigorously species variety will be maintained. Online searches of environment, legal, and government indexes (Enviroline, NTIS, Agricola, and others) demonstrated that there is no organized way to identify official state lists and that, in fact, few official lists are cited within the voluminous environment literature.
Overproduction and localization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ParA and ParB proteins

The ParA and ParB family proteins are required for accurate partitioning of replicated chromosomes. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome contains parB, parA and two parA homologs, Rv1708 and Rv3213c. It is unknown if parA and its homologs are functionally related. To understand the roles of ParA and ParB proteins in M. tuberculosis cell cycle, we have evaluated the consequences of their overproduction and visualized their localization patterns in M. smegmatis. We show that cells overproducing ParA, Rv1708 and Rv3213c and ParB are filamentous and multinucleoidal indicating defects in cell-cycle progression. Visualization of green-fluorescent protein fusions of ParA and its homologues showed similar localization patterns with foci at poles, quarter-cell, midcell positions and spiral-like structures indicating that they are functionally related. On the other hand, the ParB- GFP fusion protein localized only to the cell poles. The cyan- and yellow-fluorescent fusion proteins of ParA and ParB, respectively, colocalized at the cell poles indicating that these proteins interact and possibly associate with the chromosomal origin of replication. Collectively our results suggest that the M. tuberculosis Par proteins play important roles in cell-cycle progression.
Engineering estimates versus impact evaluation of energy efficiency projects: Regression discontinuity evidence from a case study

Energy efficiency upgrades have been gaining widespread attention across global channels as a cost-effective approach to addressing energy challenges. The cost-effectiveness of these projects is generally predicted using engineering estimates pre-implementation, often with little ex post analysis of project success. In this paper, for a suite of energy efficiency projects, we directly compare ex ante engineering estimates of energy savings to ex post econometric estimates that use 15-min interval, building-level energy consumption data. In contrast to most prior literature, our econometric results confirm the engineering estimates, even suggesting the engineering estimates were too modest. Further, we find heterogeneous efficiency impacts by time of day, suggesting select efficiency projects can be useful in reducing peak load.
Protective effect of zinc on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats☆

In rats treated for 20 or 34 days with CCl4 (0.2 ml/100 g, ip, twice weekly) a significant increase in the content of malonaldehyde product in microsomal and mitochondrial fractions of the liver occurred. The raise in this indirect index of lipid peroxidation correlated with labilization of lysosomes, as evidenced by the increased portion of free β-glucuronidase present in the 15,000g supernatant of the liver homogenate. At the same time, the amount and the synthesis of collagen was significantly elevated. After zinc acetate administration (5 mg/100 g/day, intragastrically) to rats receiving CCl4, the content of malonaldehyde in the microsomal, as well as the mitochondrial fraction of the liver, was significantly lower. This correlated with a decreased portion of free β-glucuronidase and a decrease in the amount and in the rate of biosynthesis of collagen. Administration of zinc to normal rats had no effect on the amount and synthesis of collagen in the liver. The free and total activity of lysosomal β-glucuronidase in the liver was also unaltered by zinc in normal animals. The level of malonaldehyde was inhibited only in the microsomal fraction. In rats kept on a diet high in zinc (1000 ppm), the content of endogenously-, as well as exogenously-induced malonaldehyde in the liver was lower. Some factors influencing the content of malonaldehyde in intact rat liver are described. We believe that zinc protects the liver against the noxious effect of CCl4 primarily by interference with lipid-peroxidation-related tissue damage. Other possibilities of the protective effect of zinc administration in tissue injury have not been ruled out.
Unusual electronic features and reactivity of the dipyridylazaallyl ligand: characterizations of (smif)2M [M = Fe, Co, Co+, Ni; smif = {(2-py)CH}2N] and [(TMS)2NFe]2(smif)2.

Application of the dipyridylazaallyl ligand (2-py)CHNCH(2-py) (smif) to a series of first-row transition metals afforded (smif)2Mn [n = 0, M = Fe (1), Co (2), Ni (3); n = +1, M = Co (2+)] and {(TMS)2NFe}2(smif)2 (42) via metathetical procedures. The Mossbauer spectrum of 1 (S = 0) and TDDFT calculations, including a UV−vis spectral simulation, reveal it to be a covalent, strong-field system with Δo estimated as ∼18 000 cm−1 and B ≈ 470 cm−1. (smif)2Co (2) has S = 1/2 according to SQUID data at 10 K. DFT calculations suggest that the odd electron is localized in a smif π* orbital, i.e., smif is redox-active. EPR-silent (smif)2Ni (3) has S = 1 (SQUID), and calculations show that the unpaired spins reside in the dz2 and dx2−y2 orbitals. X-ray structural parameters suggest that low-spin d6 1 and 2+ are relatively symmetric D2d species, but 2 and 3 manifest a distortion in which one smif is canted in the plane perpendicular to the other. (smif)FeN(TMS)2 (4) is principally monomeric in solution, but reversibly ...
Initial boundary value problems for the Carleman equation

Abstract We consider initial boundary value problems for the Carleman equations. The theory of nonlinear accretive operators is applied to provide generalized solutions and to consider well-posedness of the system in the L1(0, 1) sense. The solutions are represented by product integrals, an abstract backward difference scheme.
Thermoluminescence properties of fiord sediments from Engelskbukta, western Spitsbergen, Svalbard : a new tool for deciphering depositional environment?

This study explored the relationship between high-Arctic fiord depositional environments and the natural thermoluminescence (TL) signal of sediments. The energy and duration of light exposure during transportation and deposition controls the TL level of silicate mineral grains in the sediment. The TL signal of sediments rapidly decreases within c. 0·5 km of a glacier sediment source. The highest TL levels are from tills and ice-proximal glacial-marine sediments, which receive little or no light exposure during transportation and deposition. Intermediate and consistent TL levels are recorded for ice-distal glacialmarine muds, c. 0·5–5·0 km from the glacier front, reflecting slower sedimentation rates. The lowest TL levels are for littoral and sublittoral sediments which receive extended light exposure with shoaling. The granulometry of the sediments is fairly homogeneous and is not diagnostic of a sedimentary environment with most samples dominated by silt and clay; littoral and ice-proximal samples exhibit peak abundances in sand. These results suggest that the relative TL signal of sediments is sensitive to a depositional environment, particularly for environments proximal (within 0·5 km) to a glacier terminus and in shallow water, less than 15 m deep.
Design and analysis of micro-solar power systems for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks are fundamentally limited by their energy storage resources and the power they obtain from their environment. Several micro-solar powered designs have been developed to address this important problem but little analysis is available on key design trade-offs. We develop a taxonomy of the micro-solar design space identifying key components, design choices, interactions, challenges, and trade-offs. Based on this taxonomy, we provide an empirical and mathematical analysis of two prominent designs of micro-solar power systems (Heliomote and Trio), and interpret the results to propose design guidelines for micro-solar power systems.
Comparison of electron beam computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging quantification of right ventricular mass: validation with autopsy weights.

Rationale and Objectives. We compared, in the same human hearts, the ability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and electron beam computed tomography (CT) scanning to accurately quantify the free wall and septal components of right ventricular (RV) mass. Methods. Eleven hearts extracted at autopsy were subjected to MR imaging and electron beam CT scanning in short-axis projections. Regression analyses of mass determinations obtained by manual planimetry MR imaging and electron beam CT scanning and autopsy weights were performed. Results. RV free wall mass by both MR imaging (53.4 ± 19.1 g) and electron beam CT scanning (53.9 ± 20.4 g) correlated well with autopsy weight (57.7 ± 20.2 g). Regression analysis showed a strong correlation for MR imaging (r = .88, slope = .88, standard error the estimate [SEE] = 7.2 g, p Conclusion. Both MR imaging and electron beam CT scanning accurately predict RV free wall mass but have difficulty predicting the septal component. Because the septal component constitutes only a small proportion of the total RV mass, determinations of RV mass should be based solely on the free wall component.
Anthropological fantasies in the debate over cycle-stopping contraception.

The first part of this article explores some of the ways in which experts and non-experts have adopted and deployed paleo-rhetoric and other anthropologically inspired language. The author critically examines how this rhetoric has been marshaled in their constructions of the paleo-woman and her biology. The second part of the article examines the ways in which experts have represented and co-idealized the two contrasting amenorrheic women the post feminist on the one hand and the paleo-woman on the other. The author concludes by discussing how the co-creation of these contrasting female personas raises an important feminist concern: these figures personify societys increasingly fantastic and thus largely unattainable social expectations for women.
Flow-induced forces on free-floating macrophytes

Free-floating macrophytes have buoyant petioles and unanchored roots; certain species are highly invasive, owing to characteristics such as high growth rates and the formation of dense floating mats that drift on wind and water currents. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one example; its invasion of tropical and subtropical freshwater systems worldwide harms native ecosystems and impedes human activities. This research examines flow-induced forces and biomechanical properties of E. crassipes to better understand flow interactions and transport mechanisms. Drag forces were measured in a flume and a wind tunnel for varying approach velocities and raft configurations; from this data, drag coefficients in water (CDw) and air (CDa) were developed. Over similar Reynolds number (Reb) regimes, CDw decrease as Reb increases while CDa are invariant. For the same raft tested in air and water, water drag exceeds air drag and the value of CDw approaches CDa at high Reb. Force–velocity relationships indicate root canopies reconfigure by streamlining in higher flow velocities while leaf canopies do not. Root canopy streamlining is further explained through biomechanical testing: we found the major vegetative structures of E. crassipes (roots, stolons, and petioles) have similar moduli of elasticity but second moments of area are three orders of magnitude smaller in roots compared to stolons or petioles, leading to significantly lower flexural rigidity in roots than in stolons or petioles. Flow interactions with the root canopy differ for an individual plant compared to a raft assemblage. Laboratory results suggest that water currents are the dominant mechanism for E. crassipes dispersal.
Revisiting the Hydrothermal growth of YAG

Abstract As new compositions and configurations of single crystals are specified for optical applications the crystal growth community must continue to optimize and explore new options for developing such materials. New crystal growth technology and a growing understanding of certain chemical and physical phenomena sometimes implore us to reconsider our perceptions even about the most studied systems. Thus, the hydrothermal growth of YAG was reexamined after nearly 40 years of inactivity and met with promising new results. While the hydrothermal growth of YAG at 500 °C was previously met with slow growth rates or poor crystal quality we have found that growth at 600–630 °C yields good quality single crystals at rates of about 0.5 mm/side/week on (100) seeds. In the current study, high quality epitaxial layers of transition metal and rare earth doped YAG have been grown from 0.1 to 2.75 mm in thickness. This has enabled several more advanced proof of concept designed growth experiments including the growth of co-doped Ca 2+ ,Cr 4+ ,Nd:YAG for self Q-switching, and the growth of Sm:YAG around Nd:YAG to potentially suppress amplified spontaneous emission. The interface quality of the substrate and the new growth was investigated and application of a very narrow thermal gradient at the early stages of growth has proven to greatly reduce optical scattering at the interface. The morphology of hydrothermally-grown YAG crystals is also discussed and several intermediate forms are occasionally observed.
Prey‐processing by avian predators enhances virus transmission in the gypsy moth

The Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdNPV) is one of the most important regulators of gypsy moth populations, but some aspects of its transmission remain poorly understood, particularly its high rate of spatial spread and ability to persist in low-density populations. We tested the role of predatory birds in the transmission of this virus using experimental gypsy moth populations in an aviary. Predatory birds captured virus-infected caterpillars and facilitated viral dispersal via two processes: 1) by ingesting infected caterpillars and passing viral occlusion bodies (OBs) through their guts, and 2) by scattering OBs during predator-specific processing behaviors, a mechanism documented here for the first time. The relative importance of both pathways differed by predator species. After eating virus-infected gypsy moth larvae, red-eyed vireos and black-capped chickadees passed more gypsy moth nucleopolyhedrovirus in feces than did gray catbirds. During preyprocessing, the repetitive beating of caterpillars by red-eyed vireos, a behavior that was rarely utilized by chickadees and catbirds, resulted in the scattering of infectious virus. Due to the combination of efficient gut passage and virus spread from prey beating, higher rates of transmission occurred in experimental gypsy moth populations exposed to red-eyed vireos than those exposed to catbirds or chickadees. Our results show that effective virus transmission was achieved when virus was vectored by predatory birds through a combination of both behavioral and physiological traits.
Can Parents Influence Children’s Mathematics Achievement and Persistence in STEM Careers?:

This study explores the relationship between parental motivational practices, Children’s mathematics achievement trajectories, and persistence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (...
Ultrastructure of the epidermal melanocyte dense plate.

The dense plate, a thickening of the basal aspect of the epidermal melanocyte was studied with the electron microscope. A 250–330 A cytoplasmic electron dense zone abuts on the internal leaflet of that portion of the trilaminar melanocyte plasma membrane that is apposed to the basal lamina; this electron dense zone is not seen where the melanocyte plasma membrane is apposed to that of a keratinocyte. Melanocyte cytoplasmic filaments do not appear to converge on this dense zone. 50–70 A anchoring filaments apparently arising from the basal lamina appear to insert into the external leaflet of that portion of the melanocyte plasma membrane subjacent to the cytoplasmic electron dense zone. The similarities to and differences from basal cell hemidesmosomes are enumerated. This structure probably represents a melanocyte-basal lamina attachment device. It is suggested that Odland's (5) original designation, "dense plate", be retained.
SR2-3: Integrative Genomic Analyses of Breast Cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Cancer is a disease characterized by genetic aberrations, which lead to widespread deregulation of cell signaling and gene transcription. Over ten years ago, gene transcription profiling of human cancers was found to distinguish distinct intrinsic molecular subtypes of the disease (luminal A/B, HER2, basal, normal-like). TCGA is a large-scale collaborative effort which seeks to comprehensively catalogue the molecular aberrations in various cancers, including breast cancer, at levels of somatic mutation, copy alteration, DNA promoter methylation, protein signaling, and gene and miRNA transcription. Having all of these molecular data on the same set of ∼500 human breast tumors, allows us to construct a more complete molecular portrait of the intrinsic subtypes, along with their candidate molecular drivers. Among other things, integrative analysis of the p53 and PI3K pathways in breast cancer reveal differences in pathway alteration and pathway activity among the subtypes. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr SR2-3.
Metabolism of [14C]retinoic acid in the retinol-deficient rat.

1. 1. The rate of magnitude of 14CO2 production from [15-14C]retinoic acid injected into retinol-deficient rats shows rapid decarboxylation. The initial rate of decarboxylation at the C-15 is 3 times faster than at the C-14 of retinoic acid. 2. 2. Approx. 14% of the injected dose was recovered in CO2 from [15-14C]retinoic acid, while 7% of the dose was recovered from [14-14C]retinoic acid after a 4-h monitoring of 14CO2. Only 0.8% of the dose was found in CO2 when [6,7-14C2]retinoic acid was injected into rats under the same experimental conditions. 3. 3. The recovery of radioactivity in the urine from 6,7-14C2-labeled and 14-14C-labeled compounds (approx. 24% of the injected dose) suggests that the ring portion of retinoic acid is being excreted at the same rate as the isoprenoid side chain of retinoic acid. The recovery of the 15-14C label in the urine is less than that of the other two compounds because of the rapid decarboxylation at the C-15.
Rove beetle subtribes Quediina, Amblyopinina and Tanygnathinina: systematic changes affecting Central European fauna (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Staphylinini).

In preparation for the new edition of the identification keys of rove beetles of Central Europe (Volume 4 of the “Die Kafer Mitteleuropas”), the following systematic problems affecting the Central European fauna of the tribe Staphylinini are addressed: phylogeny-based, new concepts for the subtribes Quediina and Amblyopinina; status of the subtribe Tanygnathinina; systematic position of the genus Astrapaeus; status of Quedionuchus, the subgenus of Quedius; identity of some species of Quedius and Heterothops. As a result, new wordwide and Central Europe-based diagnoses are given for the subtribes Quediina and Amblyopinina; earlier recognized but not widely accepted synonymies of the genera Quedius and Velleius, and of the species Heterothops praevius and Heterothops niger, are justified; new synonyms are established for: Quedius pseudonigriceps Reitter, 1909 (= Quedius noricus Bernhauer, 1927, syn. n.); Quedius maurorufus (Gravenhorst, 1806) (= Quedius richteri Korge, 1966, syn. n.); Quedius suturalis Kiesenwetter, 1845 (= Quedius merlini Drugmand & Bruge 1991, syn. n.); lectotypes are designated for Quedius meridiocarpathicus Smetana, 1958, Quedius noricus Bernhauer, 1927, and Quedius pseudonigriceps Reitter, 1909. As a result of synonymy of Quedius and Velleius, the following new combinations are proposed: Quedius amamiensis (Watanabe, 1990), comb. n.; Quedius circumipectus (Cho, 1996), comb. n.; Quedius elongatus (Naomi, 1986), comb. n.; Quedius japonicus (Watanabe, 1990), comb. n.; Quedius pectinatus (Sharp, 1874), comb. n.; Quedius setosus (Sharp, 1889), comb. n.; Quedius simillimus (Fairmaire, 1891), comb. n. As a result of new combinations, Quedius japonicus (Watanabe, 1990) (non Quedius japonicus Sharp, 1874) is replaced with the new name Quedius watanabei Solodovnikov, nom. n., while Quedius pectinatus Lea, 1908 (non Quedius pectinatus (Sharp, 1874)) is replaced with the new name Quedius arthuri Solodovnikov, nom. n.
Recombinant DNA technology in the study of ion channels

Abstract Molecular biological techniques have allowed more questions regarding the structure and function of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to be addressed. Toni Claudio describes the progress that has been made in characterizing the receptor-channel complex as regards subunit assembly and expression and explains how cDNA probes can be used to identify receptor subtypes and monitor receptor levels during development. Functional - biochemical and pharmacological - techniques are required to validate the information gained from cloning techniques; pharmacologists are far from being redundant!
Evaluation of peer intervention training for high school alcohol safety education

A program of peer intervention in the drinking and driving of others compared with a conventional alcohol safety program in the high school setting. The peer intervention program led to significant increases in self-reported intervention behavior following completion of the course. The conventional alcohol safety program failed to produce changes in intervention behavior during this period. Both the peer intervention program and the conventional alcohol safety program led to significant knowledge gains. Neither program led to significant measured shifts in attitudes.
Minimizing the energy cost of throughput in a linear pipeline by opportunistic time borrowing

In this paper, we present a technique to optimize the energy-delay product of a synchronous linear pipeline circuit with dynamic error detection and correction capability running. The technique dynamically adjusts the supply voltage level and clock frequency of the design by exploiting slacks that are present in various stages of the pipeline. The key enabler is the utilization of soft-edge flip-flops to allow time borrowing between consecutive stages of the pipeline in order to provide the timing-critical stages with more time to complete their computations resulting in lower error probability. This raises the effective throughput of the pipeline for a fixed energy consumption level, or alternatively, lowers the energy consumption for the same effective throughput. We formulate the problem of optimally selecting the transparency window sizes of the soft-edge flip-flops and the frequency level of the pipeline circuit at different voltage levels so as to optimize the energy cost of the achieved throughput. Experimental results show the efficacy of the problem formulation and solution technique.
Annealing Kinetics of Voids and the Self-Diffusion Coefficient in Aluminum

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Contract AT(30-1)-3504. Additional support was received from the Advanced Research Projects Agency through the use of the technical facilities of the Materials Science Center at Cornell University.
Interval-Based Multi-Objective Optimization of Aircraft Wings Under Gust Loads

An interval-based modified game theory approach is presented for the multi-objective optimization of aircraft wing structures by including the effect of uncertainty present in the atmospheric turbulence. The methodology is illustrated with two examples: a symmetric double-wedge airfoil, based on a beam-type analysis, and a supersonic airplane wing, based on a finite element analysis. The design parameters of the aircraft wing are assumed to be uncertain and are described by a range of values. Because the interval ranges of response parameters are found to increasewithanincreaseinthenumberand/orrangesofinputintervalparameters,atruncationprocedureisusedto obtainanapproximatebutreasonablyaccurateresponseofthestructure.Aninterval-basedgametheorytechnique, coupledwith interval-based nonlinearprogrammingtechniques, isused fortheoptimum solution of thetwoaircraft wings considered. The present methodology is expected to be useful in all practical situations with conflicting goals/ objectives, and where the ranges of the uncertain parameters are readily available, whereas information on the probability distributions or evidence data of the uncertain design variables may not be easily available.
Mortality of Siberian polecats and black-footed ferrets released onto prairie dog colonies

Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) likely were extirpated from the wild in 1985–1986, and their repatriation depends on captive breeding and reintroduction. Postrelease survival of animals can be affected by behavioral changes induced by captivity. We released neutered Siberian polecats (M. eversmanii), close relatives of ferrets, in 1989–1990 on black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in Colorado and Wyoming initially to test rearing and reintroduction techniques. Captive-born polecats were reared in cages or cages plus outdoor pens, released from elevated cages or into burrows, and supplementally fed or not fed. We also translocated wild-born polecats from China in 1990 and released captive-born, cage-reared black-footed ferrets in 1991, the 1st such reintroduction of black-footed ferrets. We documented mortality for 55 of 92 radiotagged animals in these studies, mostly due to predation (46 cases). Coyotes (Canis latrans) killed 31 ferrets and polecats. Supplementally fed polecats survived longer than nonprovisioned polecats. With a model based on deaths per distance moved, survival was highest for wild-born polecats, followed by pen-experienced, then cage-reared groups. Indexes of abundance (from spotlight surveys) for several predators were correlated with mortality rates of polecats and ferrets due to those predators. Released black-footed ferrets had lower survival rates than their ancestral population in Wyoming, and lower survival than wild-born and translocated polecats, emphasizing the influence of captivity. Captive-born polecats lost body mass more rapidly postrelease than did captive-born ferrets. Differences in hunting efficiency and prey selection provide further evidence that these polecats and ferrets are not ecological equivalents in the strict sense.
Characterization and detection of noise in clustering

Abstract A concept of ‘Noise Cluster’ is introduced such that noisy data points may be assigned to the noise class. The approach is developed for objective functional type (K-means or fuzzy K-means) algorithms, and its ability to detect ‘good’ clusters amongst noisy data is demonstrated. The approach presented is applicable to a variety of fuzzy clustering algorithms as well as regression analysis.
OPO performance with an aberrated input pump beam

The performance of an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with non-ideal input pump fields is investigated numerically. The analysis consists of a beam propagation calculation based on Fourier methods including walk-off in the non-linear crystal coupled with the three-wave interaction in the crystal. The code is time dependent enabling analysis of laser pulses. The pump beam aberrations are described by Zernike polynomials. The OPO investigated is a LiNbO3 crystal in a flat-flat resonator. The LiNbO3 crystal is cut to produce a 1.5 micrometers signal and 3.6 micrometers idler from a 1.06 micrometers input pump field. The results show that the type of aberration is significant when predicting the output performance of the OPO and not simply the beam quality or M2 angular divergence of the pump beam. While thresholds for input pump beams with M2 equals 2 only increase on the order of 10% over unaberrated beams, the divergence of the output fields can be much worse than the pump beam divergence. The output beam divergence is also a function of the input pump energy. Aberrated pump fields can also lead to angular displacements between the generated signal and idler fields.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Motion video adaptive quantization in the transform domain

The authors developed a minimax adaptive quantization algorithm that operates in the discrete cosine transform domain conforming to the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard. The algorithm is designed to optimize image quality by adapting a quantizer scaling factor to the local characteristics of the video pictures while preserving a constraint on the average output bit rate. The algorithm is well suited for real-time encoder implementations of current video compression standards, such as MPEG and H.261. >
Ethical challenges in the emergency care of adolescent patients

E MERGENCY PHYSICIANS face ethical challenges when working with adoleseents. With young children, parents play a eentral role in medieal deeision-making. Even in emergency situations, physicians seek parental consen t pr ior to t rea tment , when parents are available. Parental roles beeo me more eompl iea ted with the adoleseent patient, who is often eapable of part ieipat ing meaningfully in medical decis ion-making long before he or she is eonsidered an adult. Most states now recognize a l imited right for minors not only to par t ie ipate in medical deeision-making, but to make cer tain t r ea tmen t decisions independent of parenta l wishes. The recognit ion of such rights ehallenges the tradit ional role of parents , some of whom believe tha t they should retain sole deeis ion-making authori ty. Challenging quest ions emerge for the emergeney physie ian earing for the adoleseent: When should minors be pe rmi t t ed to make t r ea tmen t deeisions? How should physic ians respond to conflicts be tween parents and adolescents? When minors possess the capaci ty necessary to make t r ea tmen t decisions, do parents and physicians have an obligation to respeet their wishes?